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I hereby certify that the impression of the following 
Catalogue of Antiquities, dec, illustrating the Life and 
Works of Shakespeare, has been most strictly limited to 
eighty copies. 



J/ 



Facsimile from ifa Ordinal M.S. cmluiniryr Traditional- Aneakfrs af 
SAa/cespeare collated- m, tAe year 1S23. _ SeeTa^ s/.. 















J.Nemenu£scS m Jaam.- : my 



^il^^^^P" am lcc0Hnt irf \\t Intimities, 

Cniti0 r 3!!atiU0rrift0, Unit SonkB, 

Stated DnmrratB, atifr 

ntjpr fUliqra, 

Illustrattbe of tfjc life an* igorfts of 




latepam 



En tf)e possession of 



Barnes <£rf&ar& ©allttoefl, <££q,, $&.&. 



Brixton ©ill: 
IBrinteo for ISribatr Circulation onto. 



m.Uccc.ltt. 






LONDON : 
T. RICHARDS, 87 GT. QUEEN STREET, LINCOLN'S INN. 



2_A 



PREFACE. 



Bearing in mind that collectors are too often 
inclined to place an extreme value on what has 
cost great time, labour and expence to bring 
together, it has been my endeavour, in the 
following pages, to avoid in every case an undue 
apjDreciation of either rarity or importance ; 
feeling convinced every lover of Shakespeare 
will be enabled, from the brief descriptions here 
given, to estimate the degree of consequence 
attached to the collection, which is the only 
one of any magnitude yet formed, really illus- 
trative of the life and works of our great 
dramatic poet. In fact, with the exception of 
the few but precious documents in the pos- 
session of Mr. Wheler of Stratford-on-Avon, 
and the museum of supposititious Shakespeare 
reliques in the same town, I am not acquainted 
with any collection specially formed for a similar 



VI PREFACE. 



purpose. Our public libraries and museums are 
remarkably deficient in the department of 
Shakespearian curiosities ; and although Eng- 
land derives much of her moral renown from 
being the birth-place of the greatest of all un- 
inspired authors, no one yet seems to have 
considered it worth while to have completed a 
series of authentic materials in illustration of his 
life and writings. 

It is almost unnecessary to say there were 
many difficulties in the way of accomplishing 
such a design ; and so few are the opportunities 
of procuring genuine Shakespearian reliques, 
my pursuit commenced rather from an intense 
regard of the importance of the subject, than 
from a hope of accumulating a collection 
worthy, in any respect, to be considered ap- 
propriate to the greatness of its object. Such 
a hope would unquestionably have been futile, 
but still the partial success has surpassed all 
expectation ; and if I can neither produce 
letters nor autographs, there are yet recorded 
in the following pages a sufficient number of 
important illustrative objects to render the whole 



PREFACE. Vll 



well deserving the attention of every Shakes- 
pearian student. The formation of the collection 
has occupied my earnest attention for several 
years, and I believe scarcely any article of real 
importance to the series, which has occurred in 
the market, has escaped my notice. 

A fatality seems to have passed over all the 
contemporary memorials of Shakespeare. Not 
a single autograph of his exists even in the place 
of his nativity, and of the five indisputable 
signatures known to exist, three are appended 
to his will at Doctors' Commons, and only one 
of the other two is in private hands. Not a 
solitary line of his handwriting is known to 
be preserved, and the present collection contains 
(No. 112) the only manuscript fragment of any 
of his works, indubitably written in his life-time, 
which has yet been discovered. On these 
accounts, the early MS. copies of some of his 
writings, described in the following pages, and 
which are more numerous here than in any 
other library, public or private, may fairly be 
considered of high interest. In connexion with 
these, the MS. of the Merry Wives of Windsor 



Vlll PREFACE. 



(No. 49), and the play-house copy of Twelfth 
Night (No. 91), may be noticed as curious 
illustrations of Shakespearian literature in the 
age succeeding the era of the poet himself. 

The Catalogue is sufficiently descriptive to 
render any further indication of its contents 
unnecessary. It will suffice to say that every 
article has been selected with the profoundest 
regard to authenticity, and that, in cases where 
any doubt can possibly arise, it has been honestly 
stated. The majority, however, are beyond the 
reach of scepticism. 

The woodcuts, with the exception of those at 
pp. 53 and 71, are from the careful pencil of 
F. W. Fairholt, Esq., F.S.A., and the very faith- 
ful facsimile at the commencement of the volume 
was made by Mr. F. Netherclift, whose accuracy 
is deserving of all praise. 

Avenue Lodge, 

Brixton Hill. 

May 6th, 1852. 



& Catalogue 

of 



i. 

A jetton, or counter, used for the purposes of calculation, 
especially in cases of complex and difficult adjustment. 
All reckonings were anciently adjusted among the 
illiterate and vulgar, by the help of these small circular 
pieces of base metal. 

Iago, in contempt of Cassio, calls him a counter-cadcr ; 
and the clown in the Winter's Tale cannot manage with- 
out its assistance. " What comes the wool to ? I cannot 
do't without counters." 

2. 

A half-faced groat, in silver, of the reign of Henry 
VIII. This coin, which was seldom issued before the 
time of Henry VII, is thus alluded to by Shakespeare. — 

With that half-face would he have all my land : 
A half-fac'd groat five hundred pound a year ! 



3. 

A silver penny and a silver twopence of the period of 
Queen Elizabeth. 

These become illustrative of Shakespeare, and are 
engraved as such by Mr. Knight. It is useful to bear in 
mind that the penny of Shakespeare's time, instead of 
being a large copper coin, was a very small silver one. 

4. 

Peasant Canute, Mtvtn Cain*, fflotimtr $r£tsi, 

ni\i OTlttg $Cm$ f part of a jest-book printed about 
the year 1620, presumed to be unique, no copy being 
mentioned by any bibliographer. 12mo. 

This work enters into the Shakesperian collection, as 
it contains a curious notice of Shakespeare at p. 157, 
which shows how early Stratford on Avon was dis- 
tinguished as his birth-place. Some of the jests are 
extremely curious, and illustrative of manners and 
customs. One, at p. 57, relates to Kempe, the actor ; and 
another, at p. 64, to William Rowly at the Curtaine 
Theatre. 

A few extracts from this very rare and curious little 
volume, may not be unacceptable to the reader : 

28. A Boy that Cryed Fire. An unhappy Boy lying 
in the streets on a cold winter night, cryed, Fire, Fire : 
the people lookt out of their windowes, and cryde, Where, 
where ? Marry, quoth the Boy, I would I knew myselfe, 
for I would gladly warme me. 

50. The Marriage of Arts. The play called the 



Marriage of the Arts being presented before King James 
at Woodstocke, hee, in regard that it was somewhat 
tedious, and himselfe weary with so long sitting, offered 
twice or thrice to go away, which being observed by an 
ingenious scholler of the other University, he writ these 
verses : 

When Christ Church shew'd their Marriage to the King, 
Lest that their match should want an offering, 
The king himselfe did offer: what, I pray 1 
He offered twice or thrice to goe away. 

62. A cleanely lye. Will. Kempe, by a mischance, 
was with a sword run quite through the legge ; a countrey 
gentleman, comming to visite him, asked him how he 
came by that mischance : he told him, and withall, troth, 
saith he, I received this hurt just eight weekes since, and 
I have line of it this quarter of a yeare, and never stirr'd 
out of my chamber. 

102. A sleepy drawer. A drawer, sleeping under the 
Pulpit, the Preacher beat his deske so hard, that he, 
being suddenly awaked, start up, and cryed openly in the 
Church, Anon, anon, sir. (See Shakespeare's Henry 
IV., First Part, Act ii, sc. 4.) 

159. Stratford upon Avon. One travelling through 
Stratford upon Avon, a towne most remarkable for the 
birth of famous William Shakespeare, and walking in the 
Church to doe his devotion, espyed a thing there worthy 
observation, which was a tombestone laid more than 
three hundred yeares agoe, on which was engraven an 



epitaph to this purpose : I Thomas such a one, and Eli- 
zabeth my wife here under lye buried, and know, reader, 
I, R. C. and I, Christoph. Q, are alive at this houre to 
witnesse it. 

171. One begd for a foole. A Knight, held to be a 
very wise man in his life, left behind him a sonne and 
heyre that was none of the best witted, to inherit his 
land, who was beg'd for a foole, and summoned into the 
Court of Wards for his answer : When question was 
made unto him what hee could say for himselfe, why his 
lands should not be taken from him, hee said, It is 
reported that my Father was a wise man, and begot a 
foole to inherit his estate after his death ; who can tell 
but that I, a foole, may beget a wise man to inherit after 
me. His answer caried it, and he and his remaine in 
possession of the same revenues unto this day. 

This anecdote is a good illustration of the "fool-begg'd 
patience", Comedy of Errors, Act ii, sc. 1. 

5. 

Original Impression of the Seal of John Shakes- 
peare of Stratford on Avon, Father of the Great 
Dramatist, in most perfect preservation, attached to a 
slip of parchment ; a most singular and unique Shakes- 
pearian relique. 

Only one other impression from John Shakespeare's 
seal, and that damaged, is known to exist, and is now 
preserved in the archives of Stratford, having lately 
been presented to the corporation by Mr. Shirley, attached 



to a deed respecting property in 
Warwickshire. On the whole, it 
would be difficult to name a 
similar relique connected with 
Shakespeare's family of more 
interest than the present. The 
" boy Shakespeare" may have 
been present when this seal was 
impressed with due formality in 
the parlour at Henley Street. 



6. 




An Apostle's Spoon, the han- 
dle of silver, and the bowl of 
wood ; a fine specimen of the 
time of Queen Elizabeth. 

It was the custom, long be- 
fore the time of Shakespeare, 
for the sponsors at christenings to offer spoons as a 
present to the child. These spoons were called apostle 
spoons, because the figures of the apostles were carved on 
the tops of the handles. Such as were at once opulent 
and generous, gave the whole twelve ; those who were 
either more moderately rich or liberal, escaped at the 
expense of four, or even sometimes contented themselves 
with presenting one spoon only, which exhibited the 
figure of any saint, in honour of whom the child received 
its name. Apostle spoons are alluded to in Henry VIII, 
Act v, sc. 2. 



6 

7. 

Polimanteia, or the meanes lawfull and unlawfull to 
judge of the fall of a commonwealth against the 
frivolous and foolish conjectures of this age. Printed by 
John Legate, and are to be sold at the signe of the Sunne 
in Pauls Church-yard in London, 1595. 4to. 

* # * This work is curious as containing the first printed 
notice of Shakespeare by name to be found in English 
literature. It occurs in a marginal note on the reverse 
of sig. R. 2, "All praise worthy Lucrecia, sweet Shake- 
speare". The present is not a bad copy of this interesting 
volume, but it wants sheet C. The part relating to 
Shakespeare and the other English writers is quite 
perfect. 

8. 
Manuscript Poems, Temp. Charles I., Upon Mistris 
Mallet, by R. C.,— Upon the Mislike of Christ-Church 
Mariage of the Artes at Woodstock. — Upon an houre- 
glasse. — A Godly Exhortation to Mr. John Haymond, 
Minister of the Word in the Parish of Beudly, for the 
battering downe of those vanityes of the Gentiles, which 
are comprehended in a May-Pole, written by a zealous 
Brother from the Black -ffriers. — The Distracted Puritan, 
to the Tune of Tom of Bedlam. — A very curious ballad on 
the visit of King James I. to Oxford. — Early Copies of 
Two Poems in Shakespeare's Passionate Pilgrim. — On 
a Gentleman looking in a Glass. — Upon a faire Ladyes 
Picture. — On the Recovery from the tooth-ach by a kiss 



from a faire Lady. — Ben Jonson's "Drinke to me, Cselia, 
with thine eye." — And many others of great curiosity and 
interest, fol. 

*#* The two songs from the "Passionate Pilgrim" have 
numerous variations from all the printed editions. The 
first is the one commencing, "Venus and young Adonis 
sitting by hir". The second is, "Faire Citherea sitting 
by a brooke". As an example of the variations, we may 
select the following four lines from the last-mentioned 
poem : — 

But whether unripe years did want conceit, 
Or he refused to take her figur'd proffer, 

The tender nibbler would not touch the bait, 
But smile dxi&jest at every gentle offer. 

The Passionate Pilgrim, Collier's edition. 

But whether unripe yeares did want conceite, 
Or he did scome to take hir ffigur'd proffer, 

The tender nibbler wolld not take the baite, 
But blusht and smiVd at every gentle offer. 

Copy in the present 3IS. 

A small poetical MS. containing an earlier copy of only 
one poem in the Passionate Pilgrim, sold at the sale of 
Mr. Bright's Library of MSS. in 1844, No. 239, for £12. 

9. 
A gold memorial ring, dated 1592, with the following 
curious posy inside, — 

The cruell seas, remember. 
Took him in November. 



8 

On the top under a pebble is a death's head and a 
skeleton. This curious relic thus becomes a double illus- 
tration of Shakespeare, of the posy of a ring, and of 
"a death's face in a ring" mentioned in Love's Labour's 
Lost. 




10. 
Lucy. Autographs and original seals of the second 
Sir Thomas Lucy, son of the magistrate 
that condemned Shakespeare for deer- 
stealing, and of a relative, Elizabeth 
Lucy, with a perfect impression of Sir 
T. Lucy's seal containing the three 
luces, interesting as being alluded to in 
the following passage. 

Slen, All his successors, gone before him, have done't ; and all 
his ancestors, that come after him, may : they may give the dozen 
white luces in their coat. 

Shal. It is an old coat. 

Eva. The dozen white louses do become an old coat well ; it 
agrees well, passant ; it is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love. 
— Merry Wives of Windsor, Act i, sc. 1. 

The anecdote of Shakespeare and Lucy, explaining the 
reason of this satirical allusion, is too well known to be 
repeated. The Lucys of Charlecote will ever be connected 
with Shakespeare's personal history. 



11. 

The broad shilling of Edward VI, the "shove-groat 



9 

shilling" of Falstaff, and the "Edward Shovel-Board" of 
Master Slender in the Merry Wives of Windsor. A 
tolerably fine specimen. 

12. 

& Bofce or Coun^etll against fte BtsieaSc commonlg 
callcti tlje Placate, or <#lDcatgms; MtMt$$t, niatic fcg 
Mon Caiti3, Boctour m 33Jri£trftt» i2mo. 1552. 

It is supposed that only two other copies are known of 
this extremely rare book, and, till lately, the copy in the 
library of the College of Physicians was believed to be 
unique. One other, however, has since been discovered, 
wanting, I am told, the last leaf containing the woodcut. 
It is of interest in connexion with Shakespeare, as being 
the only English medical work by Dr. Caius, the cha- 
racter who is introduced in the Merry Wives of Windsor. 

It is dedicated "to the Righte Honourable William 
Earle of Pembroke, Lorde Harbert of Cardife, knight of 
the honourable ordre of the Garter, and president of the 
Kynges highnes counseill in the Marches of Wales, Jhon 
Caius wisheth helth and honour". He says at fol. 5, b, 
he was born at Norwich, and that, at one time, "I 
beganne a chronicle of the citie of Norwiche, of the 
beginninge therof, and thinges done ther from time to 
time, the matere wherof, yet rude and undigested, lyeth 
by me, which at laisure I minde to polishe, and to make 
an end of that I have begunne. And, to be shorte, in 
phisicke diverse thynges I have made and sette furth in 
print bothe in Greke and Latine, not mindyng to do 

2 



10 

otherwise, as I have before said, al my life ; for which 
cause al these thinges I have rehersed, els superfluous 
in this place. Yet see, meaning now to counseill a litle 
agaynst the sweatyng sickenes for helpe also of others, 
notwithstandyng my former purpose, two thynges compell 
me, in writynge therof, to returne agayne to Englishe, 
necessite of the matter, and good wyl to my countrie, 
frendes, and acquaintance, which hereto have required 
me, to whome I thinke myselfe borne". 

There is rather a curious allusion to the sports of the 
age at fol. 28, — "For consuming of evel matter within, 
and for 1 making our bodies lustye, galiard, and helthful, 
I do not a little commende exercise, whiche in us 
Englishemen I allowe quick and livishe : as to runne 
after houndes and haukes, to shote, wrastle, play at 
tennes and weapons, tosse the winde balle, skirmishe at 
base, (an exercise for a gentlemanne muche used among 
the Italianes), and vaughting upon an horse. Bowling, a 
good exercise for women : casting of the barre and 
camping I accompt rather a laming of legges than an 
exercise." On the last leaf but one, it is stated to be 
"Imprinted at London by Richard Grafton, Printer to 
the kynges Majestie, Anno D\ 1552" ; and on the last 
leaf is a large woodcut of the sciences. 

This work is not mentioned by Ames or Herbert, nor 
is it in the large collection of this author's works in the 
Bodleian Library. On this account, the reader may be 
interested in the accompanying facsimile of the title-page. 



11 




8fco&e,m:aron* 

grill against tfje titsrasc 

commonly calico ttre 

storatr, or sfrica= 

tpg stcfenrssc 

fEtaor bv 3i)on Cams. 
Hottanr in pfjisirfo. 

23rrrj nccrssaro for rurrpc 

pcrsonnr, ant murijc rtqat= 

site to bt fjao in tijr ijanors 

of al sortcs, for rrjrir better 

instrartion, preparation ant 

orfrnre, against tijt soub= 

orin rotnpng, ana fcar= 

fnl assaulting of tijc 

samr Disease. 



1502 




13. 

Joaimis Caii Britanni Opera aliquot et versiones, 
partim jam nata, partim recognita atque aucta. - Eorum 
Catalogum versa pagina exhibet. Lovanii, 1556. 8vo. 

This work is chiefly interesting as having a portrai 
of Dr. Cains, "astatis suae 43". A copy of this portrait 
should unquestionably be given in any future illustrated 
edition of the Merry Wives of Windsor. 



12 

14. 

A very interesting and curious collection of the 
original forgeries of W. H. Ireland, prefaced by the 
following note. — 

"These Specimens of my Shaksperian Productions were 
presented to Mrs. Ireland at her particular request in 
1805, the period when I published my Confessions, in 
which will be found a full account of every document 
herein contained, W. H. Ireland." 

The volume contains the following papers : — 

(a) Four tracings from well-known and authentic 
signatures of Shakespeare. 

(b) Three of Ireland's original fabricated signatures of 
Shakespeare. 

(c) Tracing from an original autograph of Elizabeth, 
and a spurious signature introduced as the Queen's sign 
manual. 

(d) Original forgery of the following note attached to 
the letter, purporting to be from Elizabeth to Shake- 
speare, — 

Thys Letterre I dydde receyve fromme 
mye moste gracyouse Ladye Elyzabethe 
ande I doe requeste itte maye bee 
kepte withe alle care possyble 

W m Shakspeare 

(e) Original Forgery of the playhouse receipt for 
money paid in consequence of playing before Lord 
Leicester : 



13 

Inne the Yeare o Chryste 

FORRE oure Trouble inne goynge 
toe Playe before the Lorde Leycesterre 
ats house and oure greate 
Expenneces thereuponne 19 poundes 

Receyvedde ofs Grace the Surmne 
o 50 Poundes W m Shakspeare 

(/) Receipt for money paid and memorandum con- 
cerning disbursememts in having plaid before Lord 
Leicester, signed "W m . S." 

{g) Fabricated document, purporting to be a pro- 
missory note of hand from Shakespeare to Heminges 
for services performed by the latter. 

(h) A tracing from the original signature of Heminges, 
and his fabricated signature. 

(i) The original forgery of the celebrated love-letter 
from Shakespeare to Anne Hathaway : 

Dearesste Anna 

AS thou haste alwaye founde mee toe mye Worde 
moste trewe soe thou shalte see I have stryctlye kepte 
mye promyse I praye you perfume thys mye poore Locke 
withe thye balmye Eysses forre thenne indeede shalle 
Kynges themmeselves bowe ande paye homage toe itte 
I doe assure thee no rude hande hathe knottedde itte 
thye Willys alone hathe done the worke Neytherre the 
gyldedde bawblethatte envyronnes the heade of Majestye 
noe norre honourres moste weyghtye wulde give mee 



14 

lialfe the joye as didde thysse mye lyttle worke forre 
thee The feelinge thatte dydde neareste approache untoe 
itte was thatte whiche commethe nygheste untoe God 
meeke ande Gentle Charytye forre thatte Virrtue O 
Anna doe I love doe I cheryshe thee inne mye hearte 
forre thou arte ass a talle Cedarre stretchynge forthe 
its branches ande succourynge smaller Plants fromme 
nyppynge Winneterre orr the boysterouse Wyndes 
Farewelle toe Morrowe bye tymes I wille see thee tille 
thenne Adewe sweet e Love Thyne everre 

W m Shakspeare 
Anna Hatherrewaye 

(k) The original forgery of Shakespeare's verses to 
Anne Hathaway, and the fabricated copy of the letter 
purporting to be from Shakespeare to Lord Southampton. 

Verses to Anna Hatherrewaye. 

1. 

IS there inne heavenne aught more rare 
Thanne thou sweete Nymphe of Avon fayre 
Is there onne Earthe a Manne more trewe 
Thanne Willy Shakspeare is toe you 

2. 

Though fyckle fortune prove unkynde 
Stille dothe she leave herre wealthe behynde 
She neere the hearte canne forme anew 
Norre make thye Willys love unnetrue 



15 



3. 

Though Age withe witherd hand doe stryke 
The forme moste fayre the face moste bryghte 
Stille dothe she leave unnetouchedde ande trewe 
Thy Willys love ande freynshyppe too 

4. 

Though deathe with neverre faylynge blowe 
Dothe Manne ande babe alyke brynge lowe 
Yette doth he take naughte butte hys due 
Ande strikes notte Willys hearte stille trewe 

5. 

Synce thenne norre forretune deathe norre Age 
Canne faythfulle Willys love asswage 
Thenne doe I live ande dye forre you 
Thy Willye syncere ande moste trewe 



Letter to the Earl of Southampton. 

Copye of mye Letter toe hys grace offe Southampton 
Mye Lorde 

DOE notte esteeme me a sluggarde nor tardy e for thus 
havynge delayed to answerre or rather toe thank you for 
youre greate Bountye I doe assure you my graciouse 
ande good Lorde that thryce I have essayed toe wryte 
and thryce mye efforts have benne fruitlesse I knovre 
notte what toe saye Prose Verse alle all is naughte 
gratitude is alle I have toe utter and that is tooe greate 
ande tooe sublyme a feeling for poore mortalls toe 



16 

expresse O my Lord itte is a Budde which BUossommes 
Bllooms butte never dyes itte cherishes sweete Nature 
ande lulls the calme Breaste toe softe softe repose Butte 
mye goode Lorde forgive thys mye departure fromme 
mye Subjecte which was toe retturne thankes and 
thankes I Doe retturne O excuse mee mye Lorde more at 
present I cannotte 

Yours devotedly and withe due 
respecte 

W m Shakspeare 

(I) Fabricated signature attached to the letter of Lord 
Southampton. 

(m) The original forgery of the celebrated Profession of 
Faith, and the jocular letter from Shakespeare to Cowley 
the player. 

Profession of Faith. 

I BEYNGE nowe offe sounde Mynde doe hope thatte 
thys mye wyshe wille atte mye deathe bee acceeded toe 
as I nowe lyve in Londonne ande as mye soule maye 
perchance soone quitte thys poore Bodye it is mye desire 
thatte inne suche case I maye bee carryed to mye native 
place ande thatte mye Bodye bee there quietlye interred 
wythe as little pompe as canne bee ande I doe nowe inne 
theese mye seyriouse Moments make thys mye professione 
of fayth and whiche I doe moste solemnlye believe I doe 
fyrste looke toe oune lovynge and greate God ande toe 
hys gloriouse sonne Jesus I doe alsoe beleyve thatte thys 



17 

mye weake ancle frayle Bodye wille retturne toe duste 
butte forre mye soule lette God judge thatte as toe 
hymsselfe shalle seeme meete oninipotente ancle greate 
God I am fulle offe Synne I doe notte thynke myselfe 
worthye offe tliye grace ande yette wille I hope forre 
evene the poore prysonerre whenne bonnde with gallyng 
Irons evenne hee wille hope for Pittye ande whenne the 
teares offe sweete repentance bathe hys wretched pillowe 
he then looks ande hopes forre pardonne thenne rouze 
mye Soule ande lette hope thatte sweete cherisher offe 
alle afforde thee comforte alsoe nianne whatte arte 
thou whye considereste thou thyselfe thus greatelye 
where are thye greate thye boasted attrybutes bmyed 
loste foiTe everre inne colde Deathe. Manne whye 
attemptest thou toe searche the greatenesse offe the 
Ahnyghtye thou doste butte loose thye labourre more 
thou attempteste more arte thou loste tille thye poore 
weake thoughtes arre elevated toe theyre summite ande 
thence as snowe fronmie the leeffe Tree droppe ande 
disstylle themselves tille theye are noe more O God 
Manne as I am frayle bye Nature fulle offe Synne yette 
greate God receyve me toe thye boso m me where alle is 
sweete contente ande happynesse alle is blysse where 
discontente isse neverre hearde butte where oune Boncle 
offe freyndshippe unytes alle Menne Forgive Lorde 
alle oure synnes ande withe thye grete Goodnesse take 
usse alle to thye Breaste cherishe usse like the sweete 
Chickenne thatte under the coverte offe herre spreaclynge 
Wings Receyves herre lyttle Broode ande hoveringe 



18 

oerre themme keepes themme harmlesse ande in 

safetye 

W m Shakspeare 



Letter to Richard Cowley. 

Worthye Freynde 

HAVYNGE alwaye accountedde thee a Pleasaynte ande 
wittye Personne ande oune whose Companye I doe mnche 
esteeme I have sente thee inclosedde a whymsycalle 
conceyte whiche I doe suppose thou wilt easylye 
disco verre butte shoudst thou notte whye thenne I shalle 
sette thee onne mye table offe loggerre heades 

Youre trewe Freynde 
Marche 
nynthe 

W m Shakspeare 

Toe Masterre Richard Cowleye 
dwellynge atte oune Masterre 
Holliss a draperre inne 
the Wattlynge Streete 
Londonne 

(n) The Witty Conundrum. 

(o) The Jug water-mark. 

(p) Print of the house in Butcher Row, in which was 
purchased the drawing subsequently converted into 
a representation of Shylock, and Shakespeare as he 
appeared in the character of Bassanio. 



19 

(q) Fabricated signature to the deed between Shake- 
speare and John Lowin. 

(r) Signature to the deed purporting to be between 
Shakespeare and Henry Condel. 

(s) Signature to the first deed purporting to be a 
mortgage from Shakespeare to Michael Fraser. 

(t) Signature to the Fraser deed and representation of 
the Quintin Seal. 

(u) Signature to the deed of trust from Shakespeare to 
John Heminges. 

(v) Acrostic on Earl Rivers, the great patron of Caxton, 
and portrait of Caxton. 

(w) Fabricated acrostics on the Earl of "Warwick, Sir 
Robert Dudley, and Henry Prince of Wales. 

(x) Signature of Shakespeare to the deed of gift to 
W. H. Ireland. 

(y) Notes on Vortigern in the autograph of Samuel, 
father of W. H. Ireland. 

(z) Various original papers by members of the Ireland 
family, private plate representing A. M. Ireland and Miss 
Jane Linley, sister of the first Mrs. Sheridan. 

(a b) First leaf of the transcript of King Lear, the 
original forgery. 

Isse fromme Massterre Hollinneshedde I have 

inne sonime lyttle deparretedde fromme 

hymme butte thatte Libbertye will notte 

I truste be blamedde bye mye gentle 

Readerres 

W m Shakspeare 



20 

(a c) Specimen of alterations introduced in the tran- 
script of King Lear. 

(a d) "Ballad introducedde ynne mye Playe of Vor- 
tigerne," and another leaf of fabricated verses from that 
play, including the original of the celebrated line, — 

Ande whenne this solemn mockerye is oore. 

It is said that when Kemble arrived at this line, the 
audience applied it to the piece itself, and commenced 
the strong marks of disapprobation under which the 
curtain fell. Vortigern was represented at Drury Lane 
on the 2nd of April (surely a day too late), 1796, to a 
most crowded and respectable audience. All the avenues 
leading to the theatre were filled at an early hour, and 
thousands were compelled to return, not having been able 
to gain admittance into any part of the house. This 
impertinent attempt to deceive the public at once settled 
the fate of the "Shakespeare Papers", which must ever 
be considered as the results of one of the most extra- 
ordinary efforts in literary forgery, and perhaps the 
greatest "Curiosity of Literature". 

15. 

Two specimens of ancient knives, engraved with verses. 
The first, the blade of which is probably nearly as old as 
the time of Shakespeare, (a bone handle having been 
given to it at a comparatively recent period) is slightly 
illegible at the commencement, but may be read as 
follows, — 



21 



Lend mee not, least wrong'd bee I, 
But let all borrowers gooe and buye. 



\is7i 



rj\ 



Ji|lfn3> nv2t met- Izak wronWbtf 



'^\Uf all hovYourers "boo? frluv 




The other, which is old but more recent than the first, 
is a small clasped knife in the form of a boot, with the 
lines, — 

. Hear is a leg and foot, 
And a good blade too't. 

The blade of this specimen is rusted, and one side is 
broken, but, on the whole, it is in tolerable preservation, 
and the verses are distinctly legible. 




The custom of cutlers' inscribing poetry on knives is 
alluded to by Shakespeare, but specimens are now of 
great rarity, these being the only ones I have heard of 
during a search of several years' duration. 



22 

About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring 
That she did give me ; whose poesy was 
For all the world, like cutlers' poetry 
Upon a knife, "Love me, and leave me not." 

Merchant of Venice, Act v, sc. 1. 

16. 

The Eglogs of B. Mantuan turned into English verse 
by George Turbervile, 12mo. Imprinted at London in 
Pater Noster Rowe at the signe of the Marmayde, by 
Henrie Bynneman, 1567. 

* # # The first English translation of Mantuan, of 
excessive rarity. The first few leaves have been un- 
fortunately damaged, apparently gnawn by a mouse or 
rat. Blight's copy, which was damp-stained, produced £6. 

"Ah, good old Mantuan ! I may speak of thee as the 
traveller doth of Venice, — Old Mantuan, old Mantuan ! 
who understandeth thee not, loves thee not." — Love's 
Labour's Lost. 

17. 

A Table-Book, or memorandum book on prepared 
paper, for the facility of erasures, 12mo. 1701-2. 

* # # Some of the memoranda have evidently been 
rubbed out to make way for fresh entries. Old table- 
books are of the greatest rarity. The late Mr. Douce 
possessed one, but only two others appear in private 
museums. Shakespeare alludes several times to these 
little memoranda books, in the Winter's Tale and in 



23 

Hamlet. In one place he speakes figuratively, also 
referring to them, — 

Yea, from the table of my memory 
I'll wipe away all trivial fond records. 



18. 

C£e fcflfce Ot QOOti iHaner£. Here endeth and 
fynyssked the boke named and Intytled good maners. 
Enprynted at London in y e Flete Strete at the sygne of 
the Sonne by Wynken de Worde. In y e yere of our 
lorde. M. ccccc. and vii. The x. daye of December. The 
xxiii. yere of the reygne of our souerayne lorlde kynge 
Haiy the seuenth. 4to. 

The present copy of this most rare work belonged to 
Herbert, and is described by him in his edition of Ames, 
vol. i. p. 145. It has no title-page, or signature L, the 
latter of which, according to Herbert, is omitted by 
mistake. The only other copy known, that in the Public 
Library at Cambridge, is still more imperfect, wanting 
several leaves at the commencement. The work treats of 
vertues and vices ; of churchmen and their duties ; of 
princes, lords, and knights ; of the duties of commoners ; 
of death. An extract of one of the chapters will be 
sufficient to shew the nature of the work. 



24 

How no man ought to stryue ne engendre noyses. 
Capitulo viii. 
By stryfe maye come noo good, but it engendreth noyses, 
whiche oftymes may not well be appeased. And therfore 
Cathon sayth to his sone, my sone thou oughtest to flee 
noyses and stryues. For moche people have had harme 
by spekynge but by beynge styl and not to speke fewe or 
none haue had ony harme. And to this purpose sayth 
Juuenall in his iiii. boke that stryuynge langage bereth 
venym in hymselfe and corrupteth good maners and 
empessheth and letteth frendshyp. And me semeth that 
who that may haue pease by his lytel spekynge or beynge 
stylle hath not gretely cause to speke. For for to speke 
well is a grete maystry, but for to be stylle and saye 
lytell is noo grete payne, and oftyme scylence causeth to 
haue pease. And this wytnesseth Ouyde in his boke of 
the arte of loue. Moreouer by reason it well appereth 
that contencyon ne stryfe is no thynge worth. For if 
thou stryue for to susteyne trouth and bounte, it is no 
grete wysedome. For trouth and bounte susteyne them- 
self wherfor it suffiseth to knowe without ony thyng to 
stryue for who y* understandeth trouth and wyll not 
consente therto, by his stryue he shall not chaunge his 
purpose. And yf thou stryue for false hede and for euyll, 
the synne is moche grete and so lesest y u thy payne, for of 
so moche as thou the more stryuest of so moche thy false 
hede more clerely shewethe and this wytnesseth a philo- 
sophise named Exenophon. And Seneca in his fyrste 
epystle to Lucylle sayth that a man sholde not stryue 



25 

agaynst a fole. And to a wyse man for to stryue it is 
a folye. For the wyse man hateth noyse and stryue, 
and empressheth the pease of hertes and conscyences. 
Therfore sayth y° wyse man that fayre and swete 
spekynge maketh a man to haue pease and frendes. 
Thenne is good to enquyre fro whens comen the noyses 
and stryues, and me semeth y* they be ofte engendred of 
pryde. For we rede how Amalech made warre agaynst 
the chyldern of Israeli for fere that he had to lose his 
seygnourye, as it appereth in the xvii chapytre of Exodye. 
And somtyme the noyses comen by Impacyence nnd (sic) 
by fyers wordes as it is aboue sayd, by whiche it appereth 
that nothynge or lytel to speke is souerayne moyen for to 
haue pease and flee noyses. Allso we rede how Saull 
dyssymyled of theym y* myssayde or spaken euyl of hym, 
as it appereth in y e fyrst boke of kynges the xi chapytre. 
And Thobye sayd not a worde to his wyfe whan she sayd 
many injuryes to hym, as it appereth the seconde and 
thyrde chapytre of Thobye. In lyke wyse ought the wyse 
man to doo in herynge without ony stryuynge. 

This work is alluded to by Shakespeare in As You 
Like It, Act v, sc. 4 : " O, sir, we quarrel in print by the 
book, as you have books for good manners" . The com- 
mentators quote no book under this exact title, and were 
do doubt unacquainted with the present one. 

19. 

Shaksperian Sketches by James W e, B.A., late of 

4 



26 

Christ College in the University of Cambridge, anthor of 
Savillon's Elegies or Poems, &c. London, Printed by 
Hookham and Carpenter, New Bond-Street, for the 
Author's Private Use, 1795. 8vo. 

This privately printed work is not mentioned by 
Shakspearian bibliographers. 

20. 

A. Pilgrimage to Stratford-npon-Avon, the Birthplace 
of Shakspeare, 8vo. 1850. Large Paper, only twenty-five 
copies printed, with autograph letter of the publisher, 
stating that all the copies were sold, and that £4 could 
not purchase another. 

21. 

Grange (John) Poetical Miscellanies, temp. Charles I., 
a MS. very neatly written, containing, Mr. John Grange 
his Ballet. — On a faire Child. — On the Lady Harrington 
who dyed of the small pox. — Upon the death of Hobson. 
— An Eclogue to his worthy Father, Mr. Ben. Johnson, 
b}^ T. Randolph. — A commendation and censure of beards. 
— An Expostulation with Inigo Jones. — An Imitation 
of, Come, live with mee, and bee my love, the celebrated 
Sonnet quoted in the Merry Wives of Windsor ; and 
various other pieces of interest, 8vo. 

Come, live with mee, and bee my love, 
And wee will some sweet pleasures prove 
In guilded sands and silver brooks, 
With silken lynes and silver hooks. 



27 



There will the river murmuring rurm, 

Warm'd by thyne eye more then the sunn. 

And there the enamor'd fish will play, 

Begging themselves they may betray ; 

If thou wilt swim in that cleare bath, 

Each fish that every channell hath 

Will amorously to thee swimme, 

Gladder to catch thee then thou him. 

Nor to be seene, sweet, bee thou loath 

By Sun or Moone. Thou darken'st them both 

And if myselfe have leave to see, 

I need not their light, haveing thee ; 

Lett others freeze with angling reeds, 

And hurt their leggs with shells and weeds, 

Or trecherously poore fish besett 

With strangling snare, or wynding nett ; 

Lett course bold hands from slymie nest 

The bedded fish from banks out wrest ; 

With curious traiterous sleath silke flyes, 

Bewitch poore fishes' wandring eyes. 

Ffor thee, thou need'st noe such deceipt, 

Thou to thyselfe art thyne owne baite ; 

That fish which is not caught thereby, 

Alas ! is wiser far then I. 



Ode to Shakespear, in honor of the Jubilee. By 
Henry Jones, Author of the Earl of Essex, Kev Garden, 
and Isle of Wight. 1769. 8vo. 

This tract, of three leaves only, is probably unique. It 
was privately printed, and no mention of it occurs in any 



28 

collection of Shaksperiana, nor is it even given in the list 
of works of this author in the Bibliotheca Britannica. 

23. 

The Causes of the Decay and Defects of Dramatick 
Poetry, and of the Degeneracy of the Publick Taste, by 
John Dennis : autograph unpublished MS., fol. 

This very curious volume, which contains much 
valuable information respecting the history of the early 
English stage, was probably written late in Dennis's life, 
when he was so embarrassed by debt. One sheet of the 
MS. is endorsed, " Copies of Mr. Dennis, lodg'd for money 
borrowed/' It contains interesting notices of Shake- 
speare, and other dramatists. Dennis, it will be re- 
membered, was one of the earliest critics on Shakespeare, 
and author of a critique on Pymer, published in 1693. 
He was a member of Caius College, Cambridge. 

24. 

Miniature image in silver of a domestic fool, with the 
winged cap, a curious relic of the time of Queen Eli- 
zabeth. 

25. 

A silver medal of Shakespeare's House at Stratford-on- 
Avon, with a copy of the monumental bust on the 
reverse ; a fine impression, struck in 1842. 

26. 

Another impression, in bronze. 



29 

27. 

A very curious and interesting collection of manuscript 
poetiy of the time of Charles I., containing upwards of 
two hundred poems, epigrams, epitaphs, pieces of wit and 
humour, by F. Atkins, Ben Jonson, Derrick, Corbet, Dr. 
Juxon, Dr. Donne, W. Stroud, Warmestry, Dr. Lewis, 
Randolph, and other wits of the day, many unpublished, 
12mo. 

A neatly written volume, rendered interesting to the 
Shakspearian collector as containing a copy of Corbet's 
poem on Bosworth Field, differing from the printed 
editions, and what is, perhaps, of greater literary interest, 
a long epitaph on Burbage, mentioning the characters he 
performed in Shakespeare's plays, varying materially from 
that printed by Mr. Collier from the Heber MS. This 
latter poem is sufficiently curious to be given entire. 

On Mr. Richard Burhidg an excellent both player 
and painter. 

Some skillful limmer aid niee ; if not so, 

Som sad tragoedian helpe to express my wo : 

But, oh ! hee's gone, that could the best both limine 

And act my greif ; and it is only him 

That I invoke this Strang assistance to it, 

And on y e point intreat himself to doe it ; 

For none but Tully Tully's prais can tell, 

And as hee could no man could doe so well 

This part of sorrow for him, nor here shew 

So truly to the life this mapp of woe, 



30 



That greifs true picture w ch his loss hath bred, 

Hee's gone, and w tu him what a world is dead, 

W ch hee reviv'd ; to bee revived so 

No more : Young Hamlet, old Hieronimo, 

And Leir, the greived Moor, and more beside, 

That livd in him, have now for ever died. 

Ought {oft ?) have I seene him leape into y e grave, 

Suiting the person (that hee seemd to have) 

Of a sad lover w th so true an eie, 

That then I would have sworn hee meant to die 

So lively, that spectators and the rest 

Of his sad crew, whilst hee but seemd to bleed, 

Amazed thought ev'n that hee died indeed. 

And did not knowledg cheke mee, I should sweare 

Even yet it is a fals report I heare, 

And think that hee that did so truly faine 

Is still but dead in jest, to live againe : 

But now hee acts this part, not plaies, tis knowne ; 

Others hee plaid, but acted hath his owne. 

Poets, whos glory whilome twas to heare 

Yo 1 ' leines so well expresd, from henc forbear 

And write noe more, or, if you doe, left bee 

In Comick sceanes, scince tragick parts you see 

Dy all in him : Nay, rather sluce your eies, 

And hencforth write nought els but tragedies, 

Or dirges, or sad elegies, and those 

Mournfull laments that least accord to prose. 

Englands great Roscius (for what Roscius 

Was unto Roome, that Burbidg was to us) 

How did thy speech become thee % and thy place 

Sute w th thy speech, and every action grace 



31 



Them both alike, whilst not a word did fall 

W th out just weight to ballast it w th all. 

Hadst thou but spak to death, and usd thy power 

Of thy enchanting toung at the first hower 

Of his assault, hee had let fall his dart, 

And quite beene charmd by thy all-charming art : 

This hee knew well, and, to prevent the wrong, 

Hee theirfor first made seizure of thy toung 

Then on the rest most easily by degrees ; 

The tendrest ivy tops the fairest trees. 

Blurr all yo r leaves w th blotts, y 1 all you write 

May bee one sad black, and then upon it 

Draw marble leines, that may outlast the sunne, 

And stand like trophies when the world is done, 

Turne all yo r ink to blood, yo r pens to speares, 

To peirce and wound y r hearers hearts & eares. 

Enragd, write stabbing leines, that every word 

May bee as apt to murther as a sword, 

That noe man may survive after this fact 

Of ruthless death, either to hear or act. 

And you, his sad companions, to whom Lent 

Becomes more Lenten by this accident, 

Hencforth yo r waving flag no more hang out ; 

Play now no more at all : when round about 

Wee look, and miss the Atlas of yo r sphear, 

What comfort have wee, think you, to bee there 1 

And how can you delight in playing, when 

Such mourning so arTecteth other men ? 

Or if you still will put it out, let't weare 

No more light colours, but death's livery beare ; 

Hang all yo 1 ' round w th blacks y e eaves it bears 



32 

W th Isicles of ever melting teares ; 
And if you ever chance to play againe, 
Let nought but tragedies afflict yo r scene ! 
And thou, deare earth, that must enshrine that dust, 
By heaven now committed to thy trust, 
Keepe it as precious as the richest mine, 
That lies intombd in that rich womb of thine, 
That after times may know that much lovd mold 
From other dust, and cherish it as gold : 
On it be laid some soft but during stone, 
W th this short epitaph endoss'd theron, 
That every eie may read, and reading weepe, 
Tis Englands Roscius, Burbidg, that I keepe. 

Exit Burbige. 

The copy printed from the Heber MS. in Collier's 
Memoirs of the Principal Actors in the Plays of Shake- 
speare, p. 52, will be well corrected in several readings 
by means of the above. 

There is much interesting unpublished poetry in this 
little volume. 

28. 
A manuscript collection of early English poetry, 
systematically arranged, part of the volume being in a 
handwriting of the beginning of the reign of Charles I.; 
the other portion of the volume in English and Latin, in 
verse and prose, was written during the latter part of the 
Commonwealth, and in the reign of Charles II. The 
following notice of the volume (made by Mr. Evans, the 



33 

well known auctioneer) is extracted from the sale 
catalogue : — 

"Old English Poetry. A Manuscript Collection of 
early English poetry, systematically arranged, part of the 
volume is in a handwriting of the beginning of the reign 
of Charles I, the other portion of the volume in English 
and Latin, in Verse and Prose, is written during the 
latter part of the Commonwealth. 

" This most curious Manuscript contains a Collection of 
Poems arranged under the heads of " Epitaphs Laudatory", 
'Epitaphs Merry and Satyricall', 'Love Sonnets', 'Pane- 
gyricks', 'Satyrs' and 'Miscellanea'. It is in a hand- 
writing of the early part of the reign of Charles I ; it 
appears probable that it was compiled by a person 
educated at Winchester School and the University of 
Oxford. The Epitaphs Laudatory commence with Epi- 
taphs on Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne (wife of James I), 
Prince Henry. Immediately after an Epitaph on Sir W. 
Ralegh follows one 'On Mr. William Shakespeare by 
Basse', but the Collection possesses extraordinary interest 
and curiosity by containing two Epitaphs, one, 'Epitaph 
on Sir Edward Standly, Ingraven on his Tomb in Tong 
Church', with the name of Shakespeare affixed, followed 
by another ' On Sir Thomas Standly' also with the name 
of Shakespeare affixed. We have here a testimony, a 
quarter of a Century earlier than that of Dag dale, to these 
Poetical Epitaphs being the Productions of Shakespeare. 
Among the Satires are Verses on the Countess of So- 
merset, who assisted in the poisoning of Overbury : and 



34 

on Sir Giles Mompesson, the Sir Giles Overreach of 
Massinger. The Volume contains poems by Sir W. 
Ralegh, Donne, Corbet, St. Clive, Strowd of Christchurch, 
Cole of King's College, Cambridge, &c. &c. &c. The 
Compiler has carefully marked the names of the Writers 
when he was acquainted with them." 

The copy of the epitaph on Shakespeare by Basse is 
evidently very early, and on that account I give a copy 
of it in the exact form in which it appears in the MS. 

Mr. Basse. 

On Mr. William Shakspeare. 

Renowned Spencer lie a thought more nigh 
To learned Beaumont, and rare Beaumont ly 
A little nearer Chawcer, to make rome 
For Shakspeare in your threfold, fourefold tombe. 
To lodge all fouer in one bed make a shifte 
Untill domes day, for hardly will (a) fifte 
Betwixt this day and that by fate bee slaine, 
For whom the curtains shal bee drawne againe. 
But if Precedencie in death doe barre 
A fourth place in your sacred Sepulcher, 
In this vncarved marble of thy owne, 
Sleepe, brave Traiedian, Shakspeare, sleepe alone ; 
Thy unmolested rest, unshared cave, 
Possesse as lord, not tenaunt, to thy grave, 
That vnto others it may counted bee 
Honour heereafter to bee layd by thee. 



35 

The most important feature, however, in the volume, is 
the very early copy of the epitaphs in Tonge church, 
which are here ascribed to Shakespeare long before the 
publication of Dugdale's work. This evidence, which has 
not been accessible to any of the Editors of Shakespeare, 
is so valuable, that a facsimile of it is here presented to 
the reader. 

V-^ 5D v r<fh ^T n P? si\ 

'Wjtena.iijo -fa<m£ cvnfumpkon fhcJC 8&zjil>ei bj 



Stetdbj for, wgorHtfitJbfr jULti^L^^, 




^e ts ynoTe. yevyepuastf fan- thAL jftmes* 



A collection of " Epitaphs merry and satyricalT' follow 
the first portion of the volume. Amongst the persons 
enumerated are Sir Walter Jtawley, Sir John Spencer, the 
Porter of Winchester, Owen Butler of Christ Church, Sir 
Anthony Benn, Sir John Calfe, Mr. John DaVnant, "who 
died on Thursday Aprill the 18, 1622, being then Major 
of Oxford, dedicated to the worthlesse and witlesse 



36 

townsmen", Sir Stephen Some, &c. After these follow a 
large number of " Love Sonnets", including several (I 
believe unpublished) by Sir Walter Raleigh, and other 
poets. The volume is, indeed, of great literary interest, 
indejDendently of its Shaksperian illustrations. 

29. 

A volume of tales of the seventeenth century, written 
in the year 1670, entitled, "A Collection of divers and 
remarkable Stories tragical and comical", containing an 
exceedingly curious assemblage of short stories, some 
perhaps abridged from printed books, but including many 
obtained from sources not now known, or from private 
relation. It commences with the following account of 
Macbeth and the witches : — 

"When Duncan was King of Scotland, A 1034, he had 
2 principal noblemen whom he employed in all matters of 
importance, called Macbeth and Banquho ; these two tra- 
velling togeather through a forrest, were met by 3 withces, 
or Wierds, as the Scots call them ; The first whereof 
making obeysance to Macbeth, saluted him, Thane of 
Glands, (a title to w ch that of Earl succeeded afterward) 
the second, Thane of Cawder, the third, King of all 
Scotland. This, said Banquho to them, is unequal dealing 
to give all the honours to my friend, and none to me. 
To whom one of the weirds in answer to him, said, That 
he indeed should not be king, but out of his loines should 
come a race of kings, that should rule Scotland for ever ; 



37 

and having said thus, they all 3 suddenly vanished. 
Upon their arrival at Court, Macbeth was immediately 
created Thane of Glamis ; and not long after, some new 
services of his requiring further recompence, he was 
honoured w th the Title of Thane of Cawder ; Seeing then 
how happily the prediction of the 3 weirds fell out in the 
2 former, he was resolv'd not to be wanting to himself in 
fulfilling the third, and therefore he kilM the King, and 
after, by reason of his commaund among the soldiers and 
the populass, he succeeded in his Throne. Being scarce 
warm in his seat, he called to mind the prediction given 
to his companion Banquho, whom hereupon suspecting 
as his supplanter, he caus'd him w th his whole Kinred 
to be murder d, onely one son he had, named Fleance, 
escaped w th much difficulty into Wales. King Macbeth, 
freed of this fear, built Dunsinane Castle, making it his 
ordinary residence ; But afterward on new fears consult- 
ing w th certain wizzards about his future estate, he was 
by one told, that he should never be overcome, till 
Birnam Wood (w ch was some few miles distant) did come 
to Dunsinane Castle : And by another, That he should 
never be slain by any man born of a woman. Secure 
then, as he thought, he omitted no kind of libidinousness 
or cruelty, for the space of 18 yeers, for so long he 
tyrannously reign'd. At last Mackduff, Governour of 
Fife, joyning to himself some few patriots, w ch had not as 
yet felt the Tyrants sword, privately met one night in 
Birnam Wood, and early in the morning, march'd toward 
Dunsinane Castle, every man bearing a bough in his 



38 

hand before him, the better to keep themselves from 
discovery, by w ch stratagem they presently took the 
Castle by scalado. Macbeth escaping, was pursn'd, over- 
taken & urg'd to fight by Mackduff, to whom y e tyrant 
half in .scorn reply'd, That in vain he attempted his death, 
for it was his destiny never to be slain by any man born 
of a woman ; Now then, said Macduff, is thy fatall houre 
come, for I was never born of a woman, but violently cut 
out of my mother's belly, she dying before her delivery ; 
Which words so daunted the tyrant, that he was easily 
slain, & Malcolme Canmoir, the true heyre to the crown, 
was seated in the throne. In the mean time, Fleance the 
son of Banquho thrived so well in Wales, that falling in 
love with a Welsh Prince his daughter, and she not 
rejecting his affection, he begot a son on her named 
Walter. This Walter, flying out of Wales for a murther, 
was entertained in Scotland, and his descent once known, 
he was preferr'd to be Steward to King Edgar, A 1100, 
from which office the name of Steward became as the 
surname of all his family. Ffrom this Walter descended 
that Robert Steward, who in right of his wife, that was 
the sister of David Bruse, King of Scotland, was King 
thereof, A 1371. And this Robert, being descended from 
y e Princes of Wales that were of ancient times, thereby 
restored the Brittish blood to the Scottish Throne. Since 
w ch time, there hath bin 11 soveraigns of this name in 
Scotland, this present yeer of our Lord 1670 successively ; 
W ch is answerable to the prediction of the Wierd, who 
told Banquho that his race should rule Scotland for ever." 



39 

The forty-eighth tale is that of Romeo and Juliet, 
which here appears for the first time in brief English 
prose, without any notice of Shakespeare's play. A 
facsimile from the first two lines of this will enable the 
reader to judge of the date of the MS. 



Lv tyinTlA, a, -famous Qhr 4 fta-Cy. Civ.il o. jimnq Op 



mid 



"In Verona, a famous City of Italy, lived a young 
Gentlewoman named Julietta, of the Noble house of the 
Montacutes. Her father being not willing that she 
should marry, when the aptness of her yeers made tender 
of itselfe for the disposal of her hi that way. She 
therefore (in her fairest flower) espous'd herself secretly, 
and unknown to her parents, to a gallant gentleman call'd 
Romeo, of the ffamily of the Capelets, who were and long 
time had bin, mortal enemies to the Montacutes. But 
this unhappy marriage was in conclusion the lamentable 
and tragical death of both the Lovers, in this manner. 

"It happened on a day, that a gentleman, uncle to 
Julietta, meeting Romeo by chance in the street, drew 
upon him and made at him, and it was his hap, in defence 
of himself, to kill the said uncle, Whereupon he was forct 
to fly, and to absent himself from Verona. Now there 
was a certaine ffranciscan ffrier, who was privy to the 
private amours of these lovers, and a man expert in the 
mysteries of Love, who in the infancy and whole progress 
of their affection and espousal, had great compassion 
and reall sentiments of the torments they reciprocally 



40 

endur d. To this honest minded ffrier the most woful 
gentlewoman went to mak her moan under the colour of 
going to confession, how irksome and dolorous the 
absence of her best esteemed ffriend was unto her. The 
ffrier then advis'd her to take a stupefactive potion when 
she went to bed, w ch would cause her to sleep for above 
30 hours, so that she should be verily suppos'd to be 
dead. This counsel of the ffrier, Julietta boldly ad- 
ventur'd on, and taking the potion, it wrought so 
effectually, that her parents, immagining her to be dead 
indeed, caus'd her to be buried in a vault belonging to 
the ffamily of the Montacutes her ancient predecessors ; 
ffrom thence the ffryer purpos'd to fetch her, at a certain 
houre in the night, and to conduct her himself (in the 
habit of a Novice) to banish' Romeo, who lived in the 
Land of another jurisdiction not far from Verona. All 
this was possible, and easy to be perform'd, for it was the 
common custom in Veron, not to bury the deceased 
bodies of y e Nobility in graves in the earth, but in 
arched vaults. While these things were framing accord- 
ing to the honest complotment of the ffrier for the poor 
lovers behoofe, it fortuned that a trusty servant belonging 
to Romeo came to Verona, at that instant that Julietta's 
supposed dead corps was laid in the vault, w th letters 
from his Master to her, w ch the servant having seen, he 
return'd forthwith to him, and reported the certainty of 
Julietta's death, as that himself was present at her 
interring. Romeo, confounded w th grief and overruling 
passions at this news, found the means (in a disguise) to 



41 

enter into the City of Verona, before the shutting up of 
the Gates. In the dead time of the night he was 
conducted to the Church in w ch was the Vault wherein 
his deerest was laid, by his trusty servant w th a torch in 
his hand, by whose help he got the door of the Church 
open, and also forc'd an entrance into the Vault where 
Julietta lay. Having then the torch in his own hand, 
and commanding the absence of his servant, he entred 
into the Vault, and after infinite kisses bestow'd by him 
on Julietta, whom he conceited was really dead, he drank 
a deadly poison w dl he brought w th him, which imme- 
diately siezing on his vital spirits, operated so effec- 
tually and fatally, that he fell down dead by Julietta's 
side, and there slept for ever. Julietta, after the potion 
had wrought its full power, awoke, and by the light of 
the burning torch, perceiving her deer Romeo to be lying 
by her side quite dead ; she, enrag'd with grief, started 
up, and snatching a dagger that hung at his girdle, she 
presently sent it on a fatal errand to her heart, and so 
died. The honest fryer came, and (as he thought) at 
such a convenient hotue, as Julietta should awake out of 
her artificial sleep, that truly represented the Image of 
Death ; but when he beheld that tragical and wofnl 
sight, let his sorrow be express'd by such as have 
judgment and elocution to do it ; on the morrow after, 
the death of the two lovers was discover' d, and all 
matters related amply by ffrier Lawrence, for so was 
the Franciscan call'd. All which tragical and mournful 
disaster happen'd because Julietta's father would not 



42 

suffer her to marry, when both her yeers and reason 
required." 

I have some suspicions the present manuscript was 
composed by a member of the Archer family, the 140th 
stoiy relating to Mr. Henry Archer, and the papers and 
manuscripts of that family having been dispersed in 
various channels during the last few years. The writer's 
name, however, was not Archer, for there are in the 
British Museum (MSS. Harl. 4728-4730) several other 
volumes written by the same hand, who there signs 
himself by the initials R. D. The following is a copy of 
the " Table of the Stories contained in this Booke". 

Table of the Stories contained in this Booke. 

A strange story of 2 Scottish Noblemen and 3 wierds. 
A wonderful story of the Countess of Henneberg. 
A strange and Tragical Story of Alboinus and Ros- 
munda. 

A very wonderfull Story. 

A pleasant story of a duke of Brunswick. 

A strange story of Herais Transmutation. 

Two pleasant stories of the Duke of Ossuna. 

A strange story of an old Lord and his Lady. 

Two notable stories of 2 couragious women. 

A notable story of a king of Meth in Ireland. 

A very sad story of one Master Duncomb. 

A strange story of the Pied piper of Halberstad. 

A remarkable story of Panionus and Hermotinus. 



43 

A pleasant story of the king of Spain and a Captain. 

A story of the Spaniards Cruelty in India. 

A story of the Murder of Turner by the L d Sanquar. 

A very notable story of one Harman. 

A tragical story of Sir George Rodney. 

A sad stoiy of the cruelty of Francesco Severino. 

A story of Anna, Empress of Constantinople. 

A Lamentable story of Sign 01 ' Cenci, and his children. 

A memorable story of Captain Coucy and his Mistress. 

A notable story of Cornelius Agrippa. 

A strange story of a Frenchman and a succubus. 

A tragical story of Sextus Marius and his daughter. 

A stoiy of Fausta, Empress of Constantinople. 

A very fine story of John Teutonicus. 

Two stories of 2 couragious women. 

A tragical story of the Jesuites at Aken. 

A notable story of the Princess of Imola and Furli. 

A memorable Story of a blasphemous Frenchman. 

A sad story of the rape of Lucretia. 

A story of an Athenian Courtezan. 

A notable story of a lascivious Spanish fryer. 

A very lamentable story of Andrea Casale. 

A tragical story of Don Julian and his daughter. 

A very pleasant story of some of the priests in China. 

A story of Magdalena Crucia's Imposture. 

A story of Flexio's fidelity to his Soveraign. 

A story of the Love of an eagle to a virgin. 

A story of the Imposture of some Jesuits. 

A pleasant story of a sacrilegious accident. 



44 

A story of the betraying a fair Roman lady. 

A story of a daughters affection to her mother. 

A story of a Spectrum. 

A strange story of an accident in Paris. 

A story of 2 enemies notably reconciled. 

A very lamentable stoiy of Romeo and Julietta, 

A notable story of 2 lovers. 

A story of Charles 8th, King of France. 

A pleasant story of a Buffon. 

A tragical story of Floris, 5th Earl of Holland. 

A story of a conspiracy strangely overthrown. 

A sad story of Philodamus and his daughter. 

A tragical story of a lascivious Lieu*. 

A strange story of a fond lover. 

A tragical story of Ladislaus King of Naples. 

A very sad story of Theoxena and her children, 

A story of a graceless son. 

A remarkable story of an Indian king. 

A wonderful story of an ape. 

A notable story of a blasphemer. 

A pleasant story of Elpis and a lion. 

A very tragical story of 3 Frenchmen. 

A strange story of a spectrum. 

A tragical story of a cruell tyrant. 

A sad story of an Italian Gentleman. 

A story of a young man falsely accus'd. 

A tragical story of a kind husband. 

A wonderful story of one Antonio. 

A story of Agrippina's murther. 



45 

A sad story of Signio r Braggadino ; also the heroyick 

act of a virgin 
A story of Candaules his death. 
A lamentable story of a K. of Navarr. 
A sad story of a boasting Italian. 
A very wonderfull story. 

A story of the death of the Marquess de Ancre. 
A strange story of an apparition. 
A story of King Pedro's Cruelty. 
A tragical story of Philip K. of Macedon. 
A strange story of a converted Jew. 
A sad story of Sophonisba. 
A tragical story of Cardinal Beton. 
A story of a popish Miracle. 
A notable story of a sagacious Chinese. 
A wonderful story of a Spanish Traytor. 
A strange story of Arius y e heretick. 
A remarkable story of a Scotch king. 
A very tragical! story. 
A sad story of y e Dutchess Romilda. 
A story of Mr. Davil's murther. 
A notable story of a popish prelate. 
A tragical story of a Bassa. 
A very remarkable story. 
A story of a popish practise. 
A pleasant story of 2 Drs. of Phisick. 
A remarkable story of a pope. 
A notable story of Boutevile. 
A sad story of Mr. Hoyle's self murther. 



46 

A tragicall story of St. Winifrid. 

A story of Caesar Borgia's Craft and Cruelty. 

A notable story of 2 grateful slaves. 

A remarkable story of the D. of Schwaben. 

A tragicall story of a Hector. 

A very strange story. 

A story of Aladine, and his Paradise. 

A notable story of Stephano Porcari. 

A story of a Traytor justly rewarded. 

A tragi-comical story. 

A story of an Arabian Princess. 

A remarkable story of a Venetian Gentleman. 

A notable story of a pious son. 

A memorable story of Antonio Perez. 

A story of Picardus ffoolery. 

A tragical story of th' empero r Henry 4th. 

A story of Caius Piso's Cruelty. 

A remarkable story of a Pope. 

A notable story of Boylas, a Traytor. 

A story of a villanous practise of y e Franciscans. 

A memorable story of K. Edwards murder. 

A fabulous story. 

A remarkable story of a wicked Queen. 

A story of a lascivious king. 

A story of a sleeping preacher. 

A notable story of an ingrateful person. 

A story of a citizens wife. 

A tragical story of 3 favourites. 

A very pleasant story. 



47 

A memorable story of 2 pious persons. 
A sad story of Blanca Rubea. 
A tragical story of the Bassa Jonusis. 
A stoiy of Santabarinus mischievous cunning. 
A memorable story of witches. 
A remarkable story of a Duke of Millan. 
A story of a facetious Gentlewoman. 
A sad story of Aristoclea. 
A pleasant story of an old man. 
A story of an hipocritical Courtier. 
A strange story of two witches' practises in trans- 
forming men into beasts. 

A notable story of Mr. Bull and a Lion. 

A tragical stoiy of Arria and her husband. 

A miraculous story. 

A story of a demoniack. 

A sad story of a Spanish ffryer. 

A pleasant story of a popish Miracle. 

A story of an Irish Miracle. 

A memorable story of a Non-Conformist. 

A very wonderful story of an Incubus. 

A stoiy of a Gentleman and a specter. 

A fine story of Dioclesianus. 

30. 

Parasitaster, or the Fawne, as it hath been divers 
times presented at the Blacke Friars by the Children of 
the Queenes Majesties lieu els, and since at Powles, 
written by Iohn Marston, And now corrected of many 



48 

faults, which, by reason of the Authors absence, were let 
slip in the first edition. At London, Printed by T. P. for 
W. C. 1606. 4to. 

This very rare play contains a curious allusion to 
Shakespeare's Richard III, — " O yes, the confusion of 
tongues at the large table is broke vppe, for see, the 
presence filles ; a foole, a foole, a foole, my coxcomhe for 
a foole /" Lowndes cites only two copies of this edition. 

31. 

A copy of Basse's Epitaph on Shakespeare, written 
about the year 1690, erroneously entitled, "An Epitaph 
upon Shakespeare, by J. Donne". 

32. 

Sir John Fastolf. Grant of certain lands, &c. in 
Castre, from John Bray to Sir John Fastolf, knt., John 
Fitzralph, John Fastolf of Olton, and John Kyrteling, 
dated at Castre die Lunce prox : post festum Natimtatis 
Sancti Johannis Baptistw, anno regni regis Henrici Sexti 
post Conquestum duodecimo, (June, 1434.) 

This interesting original document, on vellum, is from 
Thorpe's Catalogue of Manuscripts, 1850, No. 143, £2 : 2. 

33. 

Original MS. receipt of the time of Queen Elizabeth, 
" To make aquavitce." 

"Take of strong ale or strong wyne, or the lees of 
strong wyne and ale together, a gallon or 2 as y u please, 



49 

and take half a pound or more of good liquorice and as 
much annise seedes : scrape off the barke from the 
liquorice, and cutt it into thin slices, and punne the annise 
seedes grosse, and steepe altogether close covered 12 
houres : then distill it w th a limbeck or cerpentyne, and 
of every gallon of the liquor y w may draw a quarte of 
reasonable good aquavitse, that is, of 2 gallons 2 quarts ; 
but see that yo r fyre be temperate, and that the head of 
yo r limbeck be kept cold continually w th fresh water, and 
that the bottome of your limbecke be fast luted with rye 
dowgh, that no ayre issue out. The best ale to make 
aquavitge of is to be made of wheate malte, and the next 
cleane barley malte, and the best wyne for that purpose 
is sacke." 

This aquavitse is several times alluded to by Shake- 
speare. The present receipt appears to have been written 
about the year 1580. 

34. 

A very closely written volume of Sermons and theo- 
logical collections, by P. Hathaway, commencing Anno 
Domini 1690 ; 12mo. 

Some of these sermons were preached at Tewkesbury, 

and other places in the neighbourhood. There 

10 p. geatiUxw 

can, therefore, be little doubt of the volume 

having been compiled by a lineal descendant of "Sweet 

Anne Hathaway," for it is well known that part of the 

family settled in Tewkesbury at an early period. The 

author's Signature is in a diminutive hand, as the above 

7 



50 

facsimile will sufficiently show. The volume also contains 
a few verses, medical receipts, &c. 

35. 

Memorable Conceits of Divers noble and famous 
personages of Christendome of this our moderne time. 
London, Printed for James Shaw, 1602 ; 12mo. 

This very rare little work is not even mentioned by 
Lowndes. It enters into the Shakspearian series as con- 
taining two stories, one bearing a slight resemblance to 
the tale of the caskets, the other the same story as the 
Merchant of Venice : 

Of the Emperour Sigismund and a Page of 
his chamber. 

The Emperour Sigismond, and one of the Pages of his 
chamber, passing over a certaine river at a foord on 
horseback : when they were in the middest of the river, 
the Emperour's horse stood still and began to stale ; 
which the Page seeing, he said unto the Emperour, Most 
sacred Prince, your horse is ill taught, and resembleth 
you very well. The Emperour answered never a word, 
but rode on towards his lodging : where being come, and 
in pulling off his bootes, he demanded of his Page, why . 
he had likened his horse unto him. Because (quoth the 
Page) the river had no need of any water, yet your horse 

in there, did adde water unto water : and so do 

you : For you give wealth and riches to them which have 
plenty, but to such as have none you give not any. It is 



51 

now a long time that I have bene in your service, and 
yet did I never tast of your liberality. The next morning 
the Emperour tooke two little iron Coffers, both of a 
greatnesse and like weight, the one of them being full of 
duckets, and the other of lead : and putting them upon a 
table, he said unto his page : here be two coffers, make 
thy choise of the two which thou shalt like best, and take 
it for thy wages and recompence of thy service. The 
Page chusing that which was full of lead, The Emperour 
said, Now open it, and see what is within it ; which 
he did, and found it to be but lead. Then said the 
Ertiperour, now thou knowest thy fortune : the fault was 
none of mine, that thy choise was no better, and that 
thou wert not made rich : for thou hast refused thy good 
fortune, when it was offered thee. 

Some are poore through their owne default, because 
when occasion is offered to enrich themselves, they know 
not how to take their time, and to lay hold of it. 

The judgement of Sultan Soliman, the great Seigneur 
or Emperour of Turkes. 

In the citie of Constantinople, a certaine Christian 
desired to borrow of a Jew the some of five hundred 
duckets. The Jew lent them unto him with condition, 
that for the use of the money lent, he should at the end 
of tearme, give him two ounces of his flesh, cut off in 
some one of the members of his bodie. The clay of 
payment being come, the Christian repay ed the five hun- 
dred duckets to the Jew. but refused to give him any 



52 

part of his flesh. The Jew not willing to loose his inte- 
rest, convented the Christian before the Grand Seigneur : 
who having heard the demaund of the one, and the answer 
of the other, and judging of the matter according to 
equitie, commaunded a razor to be brought, and to be 
given to the Jew, to whome he said : Because thou 
shalt know that justice is done thee, take there and 
cut off the flesh of this Christian, the two ounces 
which thou demandest : but take heed thou cut neither 
more nor lesse, for if thou doe, thou shalt surely dye. 
The Jewe holding that to be a thing impossible, durst 
not adventure, but acquitted the Christian of his in- 
terest. 

36. 

The Lamentable and Tragical History of Titus Andro- 
nicus, with the Fall of his sons in the Wars of the Goths, 
with the Manner of the Ravishment of his daughter 
Lavinia, by the Empress's two Sons, through the means 
of a bloody Moor, taken by the Sword of Titus in the 
War : with his Revenge upon their cruel and inhumane 
Act. To the Tune of, Fortune my Foe, &c. London, 
Printed by T. Norris at the Looking-Glass on London 
bridge, and sold by J. Walter at the Hand and Pen in 
High Holborn. 

This curious sheet ballad is quite perfect and in fine 
condition, an unusual circumstance with reliques of this 
description. The large and hideous woodcut is not, how- 
ever, a good impression, and the facsimile has been 



54 

selected from another copy of the woodcut, attached to a 
ballad preserved in the Chetham Library, Manchester. 

37. 

An impression of the Chandos portrait of Shakespeare, 
taken after the plate was defaced. Only fifteen copies 
were struck off, exclusively for members of the Council of 
the Shakespeare Society. 

38. 
Philippi Galtheri Poetse Alexandreidos libri decern, 
nunc primum in Gallia Gallicisque characteribus editi. 
Lugduni, Excudebat Robertus Granton typis propriis, 
m. v c . lviii. 4to. 

This poem contains the celebrated line alluded to in 
Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice : — 

Incidis in Scyllam, cupiens vitare Charybdim. 

39. 

An original rental of the manor of Berwick in Sussex, 
of the fifteenth century, with a note in old English 
addressed "To the Lord of the Maner and Court of 
Berwycke in the Shire of Sussex, and to his Stuard of 
the same". 

This document is very interesting, as containing the 
name of Shakespeare, in one of the old orthographies 
cited by Dr. Drake. It has always been supposed that 
the name, at this early period, was confined to Warwick- 
shire and the neighbouring counties. Mr. Hunter, who 



55 

is a very good authority in a question of this kind, is 
quite of this opinion. The present document, however, 
which was written in the reign of Henry VI, shows a 
branch of the family to have been then living in Sussex, 
the following entry occurring in the rental, — 

Nicholas Saxper pro reddit : per annum, ijs. iiij.d. 

40. 

A milled sixpence of Queen Elizabeth, dated 1562. A 
fine specimen. 

" Ay, by these gloves, did he, (or I would I might never 
come in mine own great chamber again else,) of seven 
groats in mill-sixpences, and two Edward shovel-boards." 
— Merry Wives of Windsor. 

The mill-sixpences coined in 1561 and 1562 were the 
first milled money used in this kingdom. An engraving 
of one like the present, of the same year, is given by 
Mr. Knight from a specimen preserved in the British 
Museum. 

41. 

The silver Jubilee Medal, engraved by Westwood. On 
one side is a head of Shakespeare, " We shall not look 
upon his like again". On the reverse is, "Jubilee at 
Stratford in Honour and to the Memory of Shakespeare. 
Sept r . 1769, D. G. Steward." 

42. 

Warwickshire halfpennies, 1791 and 1792, each having 
a bust of Shakespeare. 



56 

43. 

The Shakespeare halfpenny, 1790. On one side is the 
head of Shakespeare, with his name, " Shakespeare" ; 
and on the reverse is the date, and an allegorical figure. 
This token is rare. 

44. 

A silver counter of the time of James I, with a head of 
the king on one side, and the prince on the other. On 
one side, " Give thy judgements, O God, unto the king" ; 
and on the other, " And thy righteousnesse unto the 
king's sonn". A fine and curious specimen. See p. 1. 

45. 
Another silver counter, dated 1638. 



46. 

Malone's Inquiry into the Authenticity of the Shake- 
speare Papers, 8vo. 1796. 

This copy belonged to T. Park, and is enriched by 
many curious and valuable manuscript notes, insertions, 
cuttings from newspapers, &c, collected by that in- 
dustrious antiquary. In a MS. note on the first leaf, he 
says, "Mr. Malone, in this volume, gave the finishing 
blow to Ireland's Shakespeare ; though, as Mr. Steevens 
observed to me, it was somewhat like Falstaff killing the 
dead". A few drawings are also inserted. 



57 

47. 

The Original Manuscript Account of travels in 
Warwickshire in the year 1693, containing the 
earliest authentic notices of Shakespeare's early 
life. 4to. 

This most important and curious volume came into the 
hands of the late Mr. Rodd, upon the dispersion of the 
papers of the family of Lord de Clifford, which were sold 
by auction in the year 1834. It is in the form of a letter 
addressed to Mr. Edward Southwell, and is endorsed by 
him, "10 Aprill, 1693, from Mr. Dowdall, Description of 
severall places in Warwickshire". This Mr. Dowdall was 
clearly a barrister, as appears from the signature at the 
end, and from several legal phrases that occur in the 
letter, and there can be very little doubt but that he was 
the W. Dowdall, who published a collection of Statutes 
relating to the revenue of Ireland, 8vo. 1710. 

There is, indeed, internal evidence of authenticity in all 
he relates, which may fairly be considered to be truthfully 
reported ; and the author is the first person who has 
recorded Stratford traditions respecting Shakespeare. 
His evidence, therefore, is of high value, however it may 
shock our fancy to be told that the best and earliest au- 
thority known, the parish clerk who must have been well 
acquainted with Shakespeare's immediate descendants, 
asserts that the poet was apprenticed to a butcher. It 
must be recollected there was nothing in the cir- 
cumstances of John Shakespeare, to render such an 
engagement for his son an improbable circumstance. 



58 

This MS. was printed by Mr. Rodd in 1838, under the 
title of, " Traditionary Anecdotes of Shakespeare, collected 
in Warwickshire in the year 1693". The old orthography, 
however, which is at least some part of the evidence of 
authenticity, is not preserved, and many grave errors 
have been committed. On this account, I am here in- 
duced to offer the reader a faithful transcript of the 
whole manuscript, bearing in mind that the accuracy of 
the portion respecting Shakespeare will be confirmed by 
the exactness of the other accounts, that can admit of 
being more easily tested. 



Butler s Mersion, in Warwickshire, 
Aprillf 10$, 1693. 
D R Cousin, 

The letter I sent you last post was but short in com- 
parison with my former ; and indeed, if I should follow 
your example, it ought to be much shorter : but 'tis folly 
to expect a ffee-farme of joys in this world ; we must 
downe on our marrow-bones, and thanke heaven for 
■affording vs one single glance. This epistle (I suppose) 
you may justly call Mr. D ll's Travells into Warwick- 
shire, for herein you shall have such particulars as I can 
at p^sent call to minde, and by this prolix relation I 
shall partly (tho' not deseignedly) revenge the brevity of 
your's. 

On Freyday, the 10th of March last, I sett out from 
London, and lay y l night at Aylesbury. The next day 



59 

I came hither to Butler's-Merstone, w cb is eight miles from 
Warwicke, six miles from Stratford-super- A von, and one 
mile from Kineton. My friend's manshion house is verie 
pleasantly situated, being on the browe of an hill, and 
from it, downe the valley, are regular walkes of lime, 
chesnutt, and walnutt trees. In the extreame partes of 
this are two noble fish-ponds, and a verie large dove- 
house, from whence we are, as often as we please, plen- 
tifully furnished w th creatures of both elements, of water 
and ayre. The gardens, oarchards, meadows, and pastures 
are suitable : apples and peares are here still as delicious 
as in the moneth of August, of w ch we haue (since the 
last yeare) good store remaneing. The house is large 
enough for its demesnes, being an ancient, strong-built 
peice of architecture, w th all the conveniences of our 
modern buildings. To comfort and sollace ourselves, we 
haue all those necessaries that beautifie and adorne the 
kitchin and cellar ; and in the stables there be as stately 
a number of horses as a man can wish or desire to 
ride on. 

Haueing come soe farr, I may now venture to informe 
you off our advancess abroad ; and in ord r to that, I 
must acquaint you first that there is a knott in those 
partes that meete at Kineton everie Saturday in the 
afternoone, whoe are one and all, of w ch number my 
friend is one ; and they are as true and sincere as they 
are generous and hospitable. 

The first I shall name shall be Charles Newsham of 
Chadshunt, an ancient justice of the peace (tho' but 58 



60 

y rs old), one that is everie way a compleat gentleman. 
He is an excellent schollar, and as good an historian ; he 
is a greate admirer of your Royall-Society-learning, but 
not to be infatuated w th the itch of experimentall disco- 
veries, &c. ; but aboue all, he has made the reasons of 
our municipall laws his owne, especially that part w ch 
relates and appertaines to the crowne-side ; w th whose 
conversation you may imagine I take noe smale delight. 
In short, he has soe cleare an ensight, soe quicke an 
apprehension, and soe sollid a judgment, that one would 
haue thought he practised never any other thing but law, 
and [had] been all his life imployed in antiquities, &c. 
This gentleman Hues w th in 2 miles of vs, haueing a 
paternall estate of 1,000^. per annum, besides a large 
addition by his owne industry, &c. 

The next is one Mr. Peeres, of an antient family in this 
country, whose estate is 800Z. per annum. He lines at 
his manor of Alveston, lyeing on the banks of y e river 
Avon, w tb in 5 miles of this place ; he maried one of the 
aboue Mr. Newsham's daughters. He has a verie fine 
house built lately, &c. 

Another of the fraternity is Justice Bentley, an honest 
true-harted gent. He is verie fatt and verie rich, haueing 
an inheritance of 1,300Z. per annum, and besides a vast 
personall estate, especially in mony. He has one wife, 
one only son, and one maiden daughter of the age of 24. 
He liues at Kineton, w th iii one mile of vs. This is he that 
tould me y e story of y e Buff Gloves, &c. 

A 4 th is Mr. Loggins, a neere neighbour of ours. He 



61 

has a pretty estate of 7001. per annum, all contiguous 
about his house ; he is excellent company, and keeps as 
excellent scyder. 

To these I may add my friend and his father, whose 
characters I dare not take vpon me to describe, feareing 
least I should come short of theire meritt : but thus 
much I may say of y m , that that w ch makes even poverty 
comfortable they enjoy w th plenty, and that is, vnity and 
concord at home ; and to add to theire happiness, they 
haue 2 handsome prattleing boys, each as pritty as Phillis. 
but not quiet soe old. They are in coates, and yett are 
in theire grammers. And now I thinke of these children, 
pray speake to my cousin Betty (whoe knows the art of 
pleasing) to doe me the favour to buy some little odd 
thing or other to p p sent them w th . She shall be p' 1 as 
soone as I come to London, w th a million of thanks. 

From all these gentl. I haue had particular invitations, 
at whose respectiue houses I haue rec'd soe many favours, 
and soe much oblidging civilitys, that are sufficient to 
binde my gratitude to a perpetuall remembrance and 
acknowledgm 1 ; and as a marke of theire kindness and 
esteeme, they haue admitted me of theire society. And 
thus you may observe that a man may be excluded from 
one body polliticke, and immediatly incorporated into 
another ; and, in truth, 'tis but justice that a man returne 
w th out complaint what he rec'd gratis, and all that. 

Now I proceed to informe you w 1 antiquities I haue 
observed, and now and then, if I should prove tedious by 
telling stories relateing to these matters, you will, I hope. 



62 

excuse it, for 'tis what I thought worthy my remembrance, 
and by consequence my friends'. 

The 1 st remarkable place in this county y f I visitted, 
was Stratford-super- Avon, where I saw the effigies of our 
English tragedian, Mr. Shakspeare : parte of his epitaph 
I sent Mr. Lowther, and desired he w ld impart it to you, 
w ch I finde by his last letter he has done ; but here I send 
you the whole inscription. Just vnd r his effigies in the 
wall of the chancell is this written : 

" Judicio Pylum, genio Socratem, arte Maronem, 
Terra tegit, populus marett, olympus habet. 
Stay, passenger, why goest thou by soe fast ; 
Read, if thou canst, wliome envious death hath plac't 
W th in this monument, Shakspeare, w th whome 
Quick nature dyed, whose name doth deck y e tombe 
Far more then cost, sith all that he hath writt 
Leaves liueing art but page to serve his witt. 

Obij A. Dm 1 1616. 

jEtat. 53, Die. 23. Apr." 

Neare the wall, where his monument is erected, lyeth 
a plaine freestone, vnderneath w cb his bodie is buried w th 
this epitaph made by himselfe a little before his death : 

" Good friend, for Jesus sake forbeare 
To digg the dust inclosed here 
Blest be the man y* spares these stones, 
And curst be he that moues my bones." 

The clarke that shewed me this church is aboue eighty 
y rs old. He says that this Shakespear was formerly in 



63 

this towne bound apprentie to a butcher, but that he 
run from his master to London, and there was rec'd into 
the play-house as a serviture, and by this meanes had an 
oppertunity to be w t he afterwards prov'd. He was the 
best of his family ; but the male line is extinguish'd. 
Not one, for feare of the curse aboues fl , dare touch his 
grave-stone, tho' his wife and daughters did earnestly 
desire to be layd in the same graue w th him. 

There are other statly monuments in this church, as the 
moniim 1 of S r George Carew, Earl of Totnes, whoe was a 
considerable man in Ireland in the time of Q. Eliz., and 
alsoe in the time of K. Ja. I, both there and in England. 
He dyed tempor. Car. I. His braue actions and tittles of 
honour are here vpon his monument enumerated, w ch 
are too tedious to be here inserted. There is alsoe the 
nionum 1 of the Cloptons here, whoe are an ancient family : 
there are some of them still remaineing in this towne, 

I shan't trouble you any more in this place, but my 
next step shall be to the church of Warwicke, w ch , for its 
multitude of many faire and stately monuments, will 
afford matter enough to ffeed the most hungry penn in 
Europe for a considerable time. But my curiosity shall 
terminate in a slender ace* of a few of them. 

The first I shall begin w th shall be the monument of 
Thomas Beauchampe, E. of Warwicke, and the Lady 
Katherine Mortimer his wife, daughter to Roger Mor- 
timer, first E. of March, made by King Ed. III. Here the 
statues of him and his countess are excellently cutt in 
white marble. They both dyed in one yeare, viz., in the 



64 

43. Ed. 3. He dyeing at Calleys in ffrance, and being 
brought to this church, was interr'd w th his s rl lady. 

This Thomas Beauchamp was as eminent for his pub- 
licke services as any one of his time ; he accompany'd 
King Ed. 3 d in the 20th of his raigne into France, and 
was one of y e principall commanders that, w th the Blacke 
Prince, led the van of his army in that famous battaile of 
Cressy, wher the English gained such immortall honour. 

In the 29 Ed. 3, he attended the Prince of Wales into 
France, where, in a little time, y* memorable battaile of 
Poictiers happen' d, in w c)l the King of France was taken 
prisoner, and in this alsoe y e noble earle gained a lasting 
renowne, for he by his owne hands tooke y 1 day Will, de 
Melleun, Archb p of Seinz, and many other prisoners of 
note. 

This earle was one of the founders of the noble Order 
of the Garter, instituted by King Ed. 3d. 

There are many other extraordinary things may be 
related of this nobleman ; but this taste shall suffice, and 
being subjects of generall discourse, I thought not imper- 
tinent to send you. 

The next I came to was the monument of Thomas 
Beauchampe, E. of Warwicke (son to the affores d Thomas), 
and Margarett his wife, daughter to the Lord Ferrars of 
Groby : he dyed an 1401, an 2 H. 4. They lie vnder a 
faire monument of marble, w th this inscription vpon it : — 

" Hie jacent Dominus Thomas de Bello Campo quondam 
Comes Warwici qui obiit octavo die mensis Aprilis Anno 
Domini Millessimo. CCCC. primo, et Domina Margeretta 



65 

quondam Comitissa Warwici qui obiit xxii. mensis 
Januarii Afio Domini Millesimo CCCC. sexto : quorum 
animabus propicietur Deus. Amen/' 

This Earle, for his greate wisdom and prudence, was by 
the parliam* an 3 R. 2, chosen governour to the king, 
then but young ; but he was ill rewarded by that 
vnhappie prince, for when he gott the govemni 4 into his 
owne hands, he had him attainted for heigh treason ; but 
he granted him his life in exchange of a perpetuall 
banishm* to y e Isle of Man, &c. But this cloude was 
p e sently dissipated by the advancem* of Henry the 4th to 
the crown, and thereby this noble earle restored to his 
libertye, honours and possessions. 

I made my next step to the monum* of Richard 
Beauchamp, E. of Warwicke, son to the last mentioned 
Earle Thomas : he dyed at Roan, an 1439, and lyes 
buried in a vault here ; in memory of whome stands the 
noblest monument that euer my eyes beheld ; 'tis in my 
judgment much beyond H. 7th's. His statue in brass, 
double guilt, is the most exact and liuelie rep e sentation 
that hitherto I ere mett w th . The inscription thereon is 
thus litterally taken : — viz. 

" Preieth devoutly for y e sowel whome God assoille of 
one of y e moost worshipfull knights in his days of 
monhode and conning Richard Beauchamp, late Earle 
of Warwicke, L' 1 Despenser of Bergavenny, and of mony 
greate other Ldships, whose bodie resteth here vnd 1 ' this 
Tumbe in a full feire vout of stone sett on y e beare 
Rooch, y e which visited w th longe siknes in y e Castle of 

9 



66 

Roan thereinne deceased full cristenly y e last day of 
Aprill y e yeare of our L d God A. M. cccc.xxxix. he being 
at y* time Lieueten 1 Generall and Governour of y e Roialme 
of France and of y e Dutchy of Normandy by sufficient 
authority of our soveraigne Lord the King Harry y e VI. 
The w oh body w th great deliberation and full worshipfull 
conduct by see and by lond was broght to Warrewicke y e 
iiii. day of 8 br the yeare abouesaid, and was leid w th full 
solemne exequies in a feir chest made of stone in this 
church afore y e west dore of this Chappell, according to 
his last will and testam 1, therein to rest till this Chappell 
by him devised in his leife were made, al the whitche 
Chappel, founded on the Rooch and alle the members 
thereof, his Ex rs dede fully make and apparaile by y e auc- 
tority of his sede last will and testam 1 and thereafter by 
y e same auctorite they did translate full worshipfully the 
seide bodie into y e voute aboue saide, honored be God 
therefore." 

Round about this tombe there are 14 statues in copper, 
double guilt, standing on the ends and sides of the 
monum* rep e senting his familie and neere relations. 

To recount the many noble exployts of this man w ld 
require a treaties of itself — nay, the stories of him w ch 
still continues fresh in this towne of Warwicke w ld be 
verie tedious ; but, in fine, in marshiall prowes and 
greate imploym ts he exceeded all his noble ancesters ; 
and amongst the many that I haue heard, take these few. 

He fought 3 severall clays at Gynes in France, in 
y e personage of these 3 knights viz 1 . 1, the Greene Kt., 



67 

2, the Chevalier vert, 3, the Chevalier attendant. Those 
3 that he fought w th were, 1, Y Chevalier Rouge, 2, 
1' Chevalier Blanke, 3, Sr Collard Fines, over whome he 
had the better, for w ch he was much respected both at 
home and abroad. 

He was sent from England w th many other noble men 
to the councell of Constance in Germany, at w ch time he 
fought a Duke and slew him in justing. King H. 5, vpon 
his death, appoynted this Earle should haue the tutelage 
of his son H. 6, then an infant, till he were 16 y rs of age, 
w ch the Parliament approveing, he afterwards had, &c. 

There be severall other large and faire monum ts be- 
longeing to the family of the Nevills, that after the 
Beauchamps came to be Earles of Warwicke, and alsoe 
many noble monum ts in memory of the family of the 
Dudleys, whoe were Earles of Warwicke after the 
extinguishm* of y e Nevills. 

Besides this, there is the moniim* of S 1 ' Foulke Grevill, 
w ch , as I am informed by the learn'd in the ord rs of 
building, is for its architecture inferiour to none in the 
kingdome. The epitaph on this tombe is in my minde 
worth your knowing, w ch is thus, viz 1 : — 

" Fulke Grevil, servant to Queene 
Elizabeth, Councellour to King James, and 
Friend to Sr Phillip Sydney. 
Trophseum peccati." 

Now I will bid adiu to monum ts and cast my eye on 
Kenilworth, w ch I was soe pleas' cl w th the 1 st time, that I 



68 

made another visitt to its mines as I returned from 
Coleshill (from whence I writt you my former letter). 

This castle was first built in the time of King H. 1. by 
one Geoffery de Clinto ; and a greate poole, w ch was 2 
miles longe, was made at the same time. There were 
additionall building and fortifications to this in everie 
king's reigne. In the 49 of H. 3 d . after the defeate off 
the Barons at the battle of Evesham, the scatter'd 
rebbells fled to this place ; and in the 50. of this king, he 
w th a potent army, came in person and beseiged it, w ch was 
verie close, for 6 moneths, but at last he was glad to grant 
them theire owne termes. 

Dureing this seige, the sword Curtana was delivered to 
the king in the camp. This is always since caried before 
the kings at theire coronation. 

Here the vnfortunate King Ed. 2 cl was imprisoned in 
the 20th of his reigne, and then deposed ; here 'twas 
that a surrend 1 of his regall dignity was extorted from 
him, and from hence he was huryed to Berkley Castle, 
and there some time after most barbarously murder'd. 

Queene Eliz 1 made a grant of this Castle to her beloved 
the Earle Leicester, whoe layd out on buildings and 
repaires vpwards of 60,000ZZ. 

Twas in this castle that y e s d Earle had the p e sence of 
Queene Eliz. for 17 days. The entertainm 1 was soe noble 
that, as I am informed, there was a booke then writt 
entittuled " The Princely Pleasures of Kenilworth Castle." 

This castle came afterwards to the crown, and in the 
late vsurpation, for its good service to the king, was 



69 

totally demolished, soe j l now there rernaines but the 
mines (w ch even still loocks noble) of a most stately 
fabrique. But truly they haue done one peice of service, 
and that is by dreineing the pond aboue mentioned, and 
rendring many hundreds of acres to be worth 40s. per 
acre, w oh before was purely matter of prospect and 
curiosity. This place was- by King Ch. 2 d . granted to 
the p e sent E. of Rochester, w th whose steward I perambu- 
lated this place. 

I am affraid I haue already trespas'd too long on y r 
patience, else the describeing this place, its scituation, 
conveniences, &c. would not be amiss, but I shall conclud 
this lett r w th Kenilworth, and as you like this, you shall 

haue more * w ch shall giue you my observations on 

Guy's Cliffe, the Castle of Warwicke, as Cassar's tower, 
Guy's tower, cum niultis aliis, &c. 

I am affraied y* after you haue read this over (if there 
be any thing in it worth your knowledg,) that you will 
justly say it is layd vnd 1 ' soe much heavy rubbish that 
it's the cynder-wenches' trade to finde it out. But tho' I 
am verie well assured that it is an elaborate peice of 
folly, yett I hope you wo'nt expose me in this vndress — 
for truly I am in noe fitt apparell to appeare abroad. 
But, if you please, 2 or 3 friends more may be diverted 
in a chamber w th it, if such can affect theire humours. 

But to make amends for all, I here inclosed send you a 
true copie of my friend's speech to the corporation of 



* A gross word in the MS. is here omitted. 



70 

Warwick e, at the opening of theire Charter, w ch I desire 
you keep for me agen I come to towne, and lett none out 
of your family heare one word thereof. You may in some 
time haue an ace* of our entertainment in the garett. 

The assize begins at Warwicke to-morrow morning, and 
in order to be there to heare y e charge, &c. from Mr. 
Justice Clodpate, viz. Justice Ne — 1, my friend and I ride 
thither this afternoone ; we shall stay there till thursday. 
If there be any thing there worth your knowing, I will 
trouble you w th it. Pray favour me w th your receipt of this. 
My service to all the family, and I conclude, d r Cousin, 

Yo r verie faithfull 
Kinsman and most 
aff* humble serv* 
till death 



JOHN AT STILES. 



10. A prill. 1693 



From Mr. Dowdall 
Description of 
several 1 places in 
Warwickshire. £ 





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The following facsimile of the first portion of the 
account relating to Shakespeare, was taken on wood as 
an experiment, by a young artist. It is not, however, 
quite accurate, and it is so very difficult to present exact 
copies of any extent of writing on wood-blocks, that I have 






71 

had a very careful lithographic facsimile made, of all that 
relates to Shakespeare. The reader will find this at the 
comrnencemeiit of the volume. 



^(H^^^Ur^i^. 





^ y^^- s^^fa^^j^. 



Vfy* 



-&y&H±L 




Q 







<&aajl V^aJU fCj^C^ h^iS^ r^yv^f 1<jkA/^ 




q^JA *-+Zc^$JJ&^r$}S~ 



48. 

Capell's Notes and Various Readings to Shakespeare, 
4to. 1779, with 21 alone' s MS. notes. Only those pages 
are preserved, which contained that critic's notes. They 
are bound in a single small volume. 



# # 
# 



72 

Malone's notes are of the most severe description, 
and exhibit his antagonism to Capell in a very striking 
light. " Egregious dolt" is one of the mildest expressions 
he uses. Amongst his observations, we may extract the 
following : 

" 0, dolt, dolt ! where can a name be found for thy 
unparalleled stupidity I" Cymbeline, p. 107. 

" And yet it would have taken up less time and room 
than this rigmarole, thou consummate dolt I" King John, 
p. 120. 

In other places he calls Capell a " puzzling blockhead/' 
a " fool", and in several notes even " an idiot." In fact, 
he can scarcely make a memorandum in good temper. 

49. 

An early Manuscript Copy of the Merry Wives of 
Windsor, supposed to have been written for the use 
of a private theatre. 4to. 

An account of this interesting volume was published 
in 1843, under the title of, " An Account of the only 
known Manuscript of Shakespeare's Plays, comprising 
some important variations and corrections in the Merry 
Wives of Windsor, obtained from a playhouse copy of 
that play recently discovered." The history of the MS. is 
somewhat curious. It was purchased by the late Mr. 
Rodcl in the country, and being considered by him a 
mere transcript from the first folio, was inserted in his 
Catalogue for a small sum, and immediately purchased 
by me. It was some length of time in my possession, 



73 

before I discovered that scarcely a scene corresponded 
exactly with the printed edition, but that it was through- 
out an independent text. 



THEHBRKY W1V£S OF OW 
WINDSOR. 



BY 

5HAKESTEAKE. 

There was much at first sight to favour Mr. Rodd's 
supposition. The MS. was written to imitate a printed 
book, and consequently he concluded at once it must 
have been transcribed from one, it having been a very 
common practice formerly, to make such exact transcripts 
from printed books and pamphlets. This circumstance 
has also greatly decreased the chance of discovering the 
date of the MS. Had it been in an ordinary hand of the 
time, the era of the volume would have been ascer- 
tainable within narrow limits ; but there is great diffi- 
culty in judging of the date, when the writing is of that 

10 



74 

studied mechanical character, in imitation of printing, as 
the style of such writing would naturally be the same 
at any period. Some palseographists, to whom the MS. 
has been shown, have actually varied in their opinions by 
sixty years, some thinking it as early as 1630, and others 
possibly as late as 1690. My own impression is, that 
it was either written before or not long after 1660. The 
facsimile of the title will clearly exhibit a formation of 
characters which are not of a recent date, and the artist 
who made this facsimile, considers it to have been written 
long before the Restoration. However that may be, the 
MS. clearly has not the authority of an early quarto, and 
is chiefly to be esteemed for a few very good suggestions, 
and as a remarkable curiosity in a department of lite- 
rature in which such relics are of extreme rarity. 

In the pamphlet above referred to, I quoted the ob- 
servation of Mr. Collier, that although " dramatic pieces 
in manuscript by Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, 
Massinger, Middleton, and others, are in existence, it is a 
remarkable fact that not a single written fragment of any 
of the plays of Shakespeare has come down to us, with 
the exception of a few passages in some unprinted poetical 
miscellanies." In Shakespeare's own handwriting, it is 
well known that nothing has been discovered, save his 
autograph ; but Mr. Collier refers to early copies which 
may be supposed to contain, either authorised variations 
from the commonly received text, or at least conjectural 
emendations, rendered valuable by the time at which 
they were made. It is reasonable to suppose that persons 



75 

contemporary, or nearly so, with our great poet, were 
more likely to alter advisedly than modern editors, 
because they probably had a better knowledge of his 
language and allusions, if they were not so competent to 
judge of his excellences. 

The MS. is entitled " The Merry Wives of Old Windsor, 
written by William Shakespeare/' the word old having 
been blotted at a recent period, and has the following list 
of Dramatis Personal, not given in any edition, and was 
therefore probably the earliest ever made : 

Robert Shallow, Esq., A Gloc r shire Justice, vncle to 
Master Slender. 

S r Hugh Evans, a Welch Priest : Curate and Schoole- 
master at Windsor. 

Mr. George Page, a rich country Gentleman, in or neer 
Windsor. 

Mrs. Meg Page, his wife. 

Mrs. Anne Page, their daughter. 

Billy, their son, Schollar to Master Evans. 

Mr. Francis Ford, a rich jealous curmudgeon of 
Windsor. 

Mrs. Alice Ford, his wife. 
Mr. Abra : Slender, nephew ' 



to Justice Shallow. 
Doctor Caius, a French 

Phisitian. 
Mr. Fenton, an expensive 

Courtier. 



( Father. 
Mother. 



Sutors to 
Mrs. Anne 
Page, each 
favor d by { Mrs. Anne. 



76 

Sir John Falstaffe, a fat old decayed leacherous 
Court Officer. 

Bardolfe,\ 

Nym, His late vnder -officers, now hangers on. 

Pistoll. . 

Robin, his page. 

Mrs. Quickly, Doctor Caius his house keeper, but con- 
fident to y c women. 

Host of the Garter, a merry, conceited, ranting Inn- 
holder. 

John Rugby, Dr. Caius's man. 

Peter Simple, Man to Master Slender. 

Servants to Mrs. Ford. 

Fairies, &c. 

It may be observed of this list, that it exhibits very 
precise and particular knowledge not only of this play, 
but of others ; and clearly shows that its compiler, 
whoever he was, considered the Merry Wives of Windsor 
subsequent to the two parts of Henry IV, and that 
Falstaff was at Windsor in his declining years, as I have 
elsewhere contended. This, however, is not the place to 
enter into any discussion of the kind. I shall merely, 
therefore, take a few extracts from Malone's edition of 
the Merry Wives, and compare them with the manuscript, 
where it differs from all the early editions, so that each 
reader will be enabled to judge for himself as to the 
value of the variations, and consequently of the critical 
worth of the manuscript, independently of its curiosity. 



77 

It is not my intention to attempt a notice of all, or 
nearly all the variations in the manuscript ; for in order 
to do so, it would be necessary to reprint the greater 
part of the play. I merely offer the following, as a 
specimen of the variations with which the manuscript 
abounds. 

Act I.— Sc. 1. 

" Shal. The luce is the fresh fish ; the salt fish is an old 
coat. 

Slen. I may quarter, coz. 

Shal. You may, by marrying. 

Eva. It is marring, indeed, if he quarter it." 

The manuscript reads " the salt-water fish is an old 
coat," which may serve to confine the conjectures of the 
commentators on this very difficult passage within 
narrower bounds. At all events, this reading appears to 
overthrow the conjecture of " A Lover of Heraldry," given 
in Knight's Library Shakespeare, vol. iii. p. 41. In 
Slender's speech, the manuscript reads uncle instead of 
coz, an obviously correct emendation, and also made in 
several other places in the manuscript. A little further 
onwards the manuscript reads " 1700 M" instead of " seven 
hundred pounds/' in three places. 

Act I. — Sc. 1. 

" Nym. Slice, I say ! pauca, pauca : slice ! that's my 
humour. 

Slen. Where's Simple, my man ? — can you tell, cousin ?" 



78 

In Nym's speech, the manuscript reads " that is 
my humour," and the next, "He can tell you, uncle," 
which is certainly preferable to the commonly received 
reading. 

Act I. — Sc. 4. 

" Fent. Well, I shall see her to-day ; Hold, there's 
money for thee ; let me have thy voice in my behalf : if 
thou seest her before me, commend me. 

Quick. Will I ? i'faith, that we will ; and I will tell 
your worship more of the wart, the next time we have 
confidence ; and of the wooers/' 

The manuscript reads " that I will," and thus corrects 
a very evident error that has passed through all the 
editions. In a few lines, previously, the manuscript reads, 
" it is not a good you tarry here," instead of " it is not 
good you tarry here." 

Act II.— Sc. 1. 

" Mrs. Page. Letter for letter ; but that the name of 
Page and Ford differs ! — To thy great comfort in this 
mystery of ill opinions, here's the twin-brother of thy 
letter : but let thine inherit first ; for, I protest, mine 
never shall. I warrant he hath a thousand of these 
letters, writ with blank space for different names, {sure 
more,) and these are of the second edition." 

The second folio reads " sue more," but the manuscript 
has " shuh ! more" which is much more likely to be 
right. 



79 



Act II.— Sc. 1. 

" Mrs. Ford. Trust me, I thought on her : she'll 
fit it. 

Mrs. Page. You are come to see my daughter Anne V 

The manuscript inserts the words, " Now, Mistress 
Quickly," at the commencement of the second speech ; 
which appears to be an evident improvement. 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Fal. Not a penny. I have been content, sir, you 
should lay my countenance to pawn : I have grated upon 
my good friends for three reprieves for you and your 
coach-fellow, Nym ; or else you had looked through the 
grate, like a geminy of baboons. I am damned in hell 
for swearing to gentleman my friends, you were good 
soldiers and tall fellows ; and when mistress Bridget lost 
the handle of her fan, I took't upon mine honour thou 
hadst it not." 

The manuscript reads " that you were good soldiers 
and stout fellows," and other variations in the same 
speech, such as " my" for " mine," &c. In the next line, 
the manuscript reads, " Didst thou not share." 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Fal. % * * I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of 
heaven on the left hand, and hiding mine honour in my 
necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge, and to lurch ; and 
yet you, rogue, will ensconce your rags, your cat-a- 



80 

mountain looks, your red-lattice phrases, and your bold- 
beating oaths, under the shelter of your honour !" 

The manuscript reads " blunderbust oaths," which is a 
very curious variation, and well worthy of notice. This 
reading is referred to by Mr. Dyce, in his Remarks on 
Collier's and Knight's editions of Shakespeare, p. 14. In 
the same speech, the manuscript reads " term," instead of 
" terms," agreeing in this with the second folio. 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Fist. This punk is one of Cupid's carriers : — 
Clap on more sails ; pursue, up with jour fights ; 
Give fire ; she is my prize, or ocean whelm them all." 

The manuscript reads, " up with your flags',' which 

seems much more intelligible. If Mr. Knight had referred 

to Cole, he would not have given so imperfect a definition 

of fights, which the latter author defines to be, "coverts, 

any places where men may stand unseen and use their 

arms in a ship." See his English Dictionary, 8vo. Lond. 

1676. 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Ford. Troth, and I have a bag of money here troubles 
me : if you will help to bear it, Sir John, take all, or half, 
for easing me of the carriage." 

The manuscript reads, " if you will help me to bear it." 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Ford. There is a gentlewoman in this town, her 
husband's name is Ford. 






81 

Fal. Well, sir. 

Ford. I have long loved her, and I protest to you, 
bestowed much on her." 

The conduct of this is entirely changed in the manu- 
script, which reads as follows : — 

" Ford. There is a gentleman in this town, his name is 
Ford, whose wife I have long loved. 

Fal. Well, sir. 

Ford. And, I protest to you, bestowed much on her." 

Act II.— So. 2. 

" Fal. I will use her as the key of the cuckoldy rogue's 
coffer ; and there's my harvest-home." 

The manuscript reads, " the key to the cuckoldy rogue's 
coffer." 

Act II.— Sc. 2. 

" Fie, fie, fie, ! cuckold ! cuckold ! cuckold I" 
These are the last words of this scene, and the manu- 
script reads " wittol," instead of the second " cuckold," 
and I have little doubt the manuscript is right ; for it 
agrees with the same exclamation in the former part of 
the speech. 

Act II.— Sc. 3. 

" Host And moreover, bully. — And first, master guest, 
and master Page, and eke Cavalero Slender, go through 
the town to Frogmore." 

The manuscript here inserts a very necessary word, in 

li 



82 

reading " Master Justice Guest," which is peculiar to this 
copy. 

Act III.— Sc. 1. 

" Eva. Bless my soul ! how full of cholers I am, and 
trempling of mind ! — I shall be glad if he have deceived 
me : — how melancholies I am." 

It may be remarked of this manuscript that all Evans's 
speeches are very carefully spelt to indicate his peculiar 
phraseology, much more so than the printed editions ; 
and this is one evidence that it was a playhouse copy. 
Thus, in the present speech, the manuscript reads, — 
" Plesse my soul : how full of chollers I am, and trempling 
of mind : I shall pe glat if he hafe deceivet me : how 
melanchollies I am! I will knog his vrinalls apout his 
knaves costart, when I hafe goot opportunities for the 
'orke : Plesse my soul : (sings) 

" To shallow rifers to whose falls : 
Melotious birts sing matricalls : 
There will we make our peds of roses, 
And a thousand fragrant posies." 

Surely there is more humour in this than in the printed 
editions, where the spelling is not uniform. In the first 
folio, it is " sings madrigals," which reading is not, 
however, adopted by Mr. Knight. 

Act III.— Sc. 1. 

" Page. I warrant you, he's the man should fight with 
him." 



83 

The manuscript reads, " the man that should fight with 
him." 

Act III.— Sc. 1. 

" Host. Peace, I say, Gallia and Gaul ; French and 
Welsh ; soul-curer and body-curer." 

The manuscript reads "Gallia and Wallia" which 
seems to confirms Hanmer's very sensible emendation. 

Act III.— Sc. 2. 

" Ford. A man may hear this shower sing in the wind ! 
— and FalstafFs boy with her ! — Good plots ! — they are 
laid ; and our revolted wives share damnation together." 

The manuscript reads " and well laid," which appears 
to be a most sensible emendation,. 

Act III.— Sc. 2. 

" Page. Not by my consent I promise you, The gentle- 
man is of no having ; he kept company with the wild 
Prince and Poins ; he is of too high a region, he knows 
too much. No, he shall not knit a knot in his fortunes 
with the finger of my substance." 

After the word " fortunes," the manuscript adds " with, 
my money." 

Act III.— Sc. 3. 
" Fal. I see what thou wert, if Fortune thy foe were 
not, Nature thy friend : Come, thou canst not hide it." 
This passage has puzzled the commentators, and Mr. 



84 

Knight is not of opinion that a perfect sense can be made 
of the passage as it stands. The reading of the manu- 
script renders the matter quite clear, and partially con- 
firms Pope's conjecture. It is, " Nature's thy friend/' 
This single emendation is sufficient to stamp a value on 
the manuscript. Throughout this scene are a variety of 
alterations. At p. 79, the manuscript reads, " I am come 
before to tell you," which is an improvement. The printed 
editions omit the word " am". The manuscript also reads, 
" Why, your husband's a coming hither, woman," the two 
words in italics being omitted in the printed copies. It 
would be impossible to notice all variations of this kind, 
without reprinting the play. These instances are merely 
given as examples taken at random to show that the 
manuscript is an independent text. 

Act III.— Sc. 3. 

" Mrs. Page. What a taking was he in, when your 
husband asked who was in the basket. 

Mrs. Ford. I am half afraid he will have need of 
washing ; so throwing him into the water will do him 
a benefit." 

The manuscript here affords a most important emen- 
dation, reading " ivhat was in the basket." It is very 
clear that Ford could not have asked who was in the 
basket, because had it entered his head that any one was 
there, he would of course have discovered the trick. 

That the manuscript is correct is clear from a sub- 
sequent passage, where Falstaff tells Master Broome, that 



85 

the jealous knave " asked them once or twice what they 
had in their basket." The manuscript also reads " a good 
turn/' instead of " a benefit." 

Act III.— Sc. 4. 

" Slen. No, she shall not dismay me, I care not for that, 
— but that I am afeard." 

The manuscript reads, " but — I am affeard, la \" It 
also adds the words, " and family frailties," after " faults," 
in Anne's next speech ; and instead of " a hundred and 
fifty pounds jointure," we have " a hundred and fifty 
pounds a year jointure." 

Act III.— Sc. 4. 

" My daughter will I question how she loves you, 
And as I find her, so am I affected ; 
Till then, farewell, sir : — she must needs go in ; 
Her father will be angry." 
This speech leaves off abruptly, and I have little doubt 
that we should read, with the manuscript. — 
" Her father will be angry else!' 
It may be mentioned that Mrs. Quickly's speech in the 
manuscript, is entirely different from that in the printed 
editions. 

Act IV.— Sc. 2. 
" Ford. Ay, but if it prove true, master Page, have you 
any way then to unfool me again. — Set down the basket, 
A r illain : — Somebody call my wife : — Youth in a basket ! 



86 

■ — 0, you panderly rascals ! there's a knot, a ging, a pack, 
a conspiracy against me." 

The first folio reads gin, but the manuscript has gang. 
A little further on, the manuscript reads, " Here's no man 
here" which last word is omitted in the printed editions, 
although necessary. 

Act IV.— Sc. 5. 

" Host. Here's a Bohemian-Tartar tarries the coming 
down of thy fat woman. Let her descend, bully, let her 
descend ; my chambers are honourable : Fie ! privacy ! 
fie!" 

The manuscript reads " of that fat woman", which is 
more likely to be correct than the commonly received 
reading. 

Act V.— Sc. 2. 

" Page. The night is dark ; light and spirits will 
become it well. Heaven prosper our sport ! No man 
means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his 
horns. Let's away ; follow me!' 

The manuscript reads, " Let's away ; come, son Slender, 
follow me." 

With this specimen I conclude, and leave to others the 
question how far these emendations may be safely ad- 
mitted into an edition of Shakespeare. The question, 
perhaps, is one rather of authority than judgment ; and 
it may certainly be a doubt whether the manuscript is of 



87 

a higher authority, as far as regards the text, than the 
corrections of the first folio which Mr. Collier discovered, 
in a copy belonging to Lord Francis Egerton. But early 
corrections, like the corrections in the folio of 1632, must 
be of more authority than those made by Rowe, Pope, 
and subsequent editors ; and an early manuscript copy of 
any one of Shakespeare's plays, even though written 
after the poet's death, cannot but be considered a great 
curiosity. It would be impossible to say whether the 
manuscript now under consideration, was taken from 
a contemporary copy or not. It is, however, certain 
that no transcript of an early edition, though carefully 
corrected, could possibly contain the numerous and ex- 
tensive variations, which are found in this manuscrij)t 
of the " Merry Wives of Windsor!' 

And it is this last consideration which inclines me to 
think, that it must have been copied for some private 
exhibition, so common, according to Kirkman, during the 
Commonwealth. If so, the corrections made in it were 
probably by some one who had seen this play acted, and 
had remembered the players' versions of those passages 
he has altered. And this, upon the whole, appears to 
be the most probable mode of accounting, for the peculiar 
readings with which it abounds. 

Mr. Collier attaches considerable value to a few 
extracts from Shakespeare's plays, which he found in 
an early manuscript common-place book, although he 
confesses that it is doubtful whether the writer employed 
printed copies, resorted to manuscript authorities, or 



88 

only recorded striking passages which he heard at the 
theatres. Even with this doubt, so honestly expressed, 
Mr. Collier tells us that " these brief extracts, never 
exceeding five lines, now and then throw light upon 
difficult and doubtful expressions." I quote this, not in 
the expectation of claiming for the manuscript any addi- 
tional value, but for the purpose of showing how very 
little early written authority for the text of Shakespeare 
has yet been discovered, and the extreme importance 
given by the critics to evidence of this nature. 

In order that the reader may have an opportunity of 
observing a specimen of the numerous minute variations 
which occur in the manuscript, the following scene has 
been selected, and is here given exactly as it stands in 
the original. 

Actus Tertius, Sccena Prima. 
Enter Evans, Simple, Page, Shallow, Slender, Host, Caius, 

Rugby. 

Evans. I pray you, now, goot Ma r Slenders serving- 
man, and Friend Simple py your name ; w ch - way have 
you looked for Mr. Caius, that call's himself Doctor of 
physick ? 

Simple. Many, sir, the pitty-wary, the park- ward ; 
every way ; Old Windsor- way, and ev'ry way but the 
Town-way. 

Evan. I most fehemently desire you, you will also 
look that way. 



89 

Simple. I will, sir. 

Evan. 'Plesse nry soul ; how full of chollers I am, and 
trempling of mind : I shall pe glat if he hafe deceivet 
me : how melanchollies I am ! I will knog his vrinalls 
apout his knafe's costart, when I hafe goot opportunities 
for the 'orke : 'Plesse my soul : sings : 

To shallow Rifers to whose Falls 
Melotious Birts sing Matricalls : 
There will we make our Peds of Roses, 
And a thousand fragrant posies. 

To shallow, I hafe, 'mercy on me, a great tisposition to 
cry ! sings : 

Melotious Birds sing Matrigalls : 
"When as I sat in Pabilon : 
And a thousand vagram Posies. 

To shallow, &c. 

Simple. Yonder he is comeing, this way, Ma r Parson. 
Evan. He's welcom : 

To shallow Rifers, to whose Falls, &c. 

Heav'n prosper the Right : what wepons is he ? 

Simple. No weapons, sir : There comes my Ma r , Ma 1 
Shallow, and another Gentleman from Frogmore, over the 
stile, this way. 

Evan. Pray you gife me my Gown, or else keep it in 
your Arms. 

12 



90 



Enter All. 

Shallow. How now, Ma r - Parson ? good morrow, good 
S r - Priest : keep a gamster from the dice, and a good 
stndient from his book, and it is wonderfull. 

Slender. Ah ! Sweet Anne Page. 

Page. Save yon, good S 1 - Hngh. 

Evan. 'Pless yon from his mercy sak, all of yon. 

Shallow. What ? y e Sword and y e word ? do yon study 
them both, Ma 1 '- Parson ? • 

Page. And yonthfull still, in yonr donblet and hose, 
this raw-rumatick day ? 

Evan. There is reasons and canses for it. 

Page. "We are come to yon to do a good office, M r - 
Parson. 

Evan. Fery well ; what is it ? 

Page. Yonder is a most reverend gentleman, who 
(belike) having received wrong by some person, is at most 
ods with his own gravity and patience that ever yon saw. 

Shallow. I have liv'd 4 score years and vpward ; I 
never heard a man of his place, gravity, and learning, so 
wide of his own respect. 

Evan. What is he ? 

Page. I think yon know him : Ma r - D r Cains, the re- 
nowned French Phisitian. 

Evan. Got's will and his passion of my hart ! I hat 
as liff yon woo't tell me of a mess of porridg. 

Page. Why ? 

Evan. He has no more knowledge in Hibocrates and 



91 

Galen, and he is a knafe besides : a cowardly knave as 
you wonlt tesire to be acquaint with all. 

Page. I warrant you he's y e man y* should fight 
with him. 

Slender. O sweet Anne Page. 



Enter Caius. 

Shallow. It appear' s so by his weapons ; keep them 
asunder ; here comes D 1 Caius. 

Page. Nay, good M 1 - Parson, keep in yo r weapon. 

Shallow. So do you, good M r - D 1 

Host. Disarm them, and let them question : let y m 
keep their limbs whole, and hack our English. 

Caius. I pray you let-a-me speak a word w* your eare. 
Vherefor vill you not meet-a-me ? 

Evan. Pray you vse yo 1 ' patience in goot time. 

Gains. By gar, you are de coward ; de lack dog ; 
Iohn Ape. 

Evan. Pray you let vs not be laughing- stockes to other 
mens humors ; I desire you in friendship, and I will one 
way or other make you amends ; I will knog yo 1 vrinall 
about yo 1 ' knaves cogscomb. 

Caius. Diable, lack Rugby, mine host de Jarteer, 
have I not stay for him to kill him ? have I not, at de 
place I did appoint ? 

Evan. As I am a Xians-soul, now look you : this is 
the place appointed, I'le be judgment by mine Host of 
the Garter. 



92 

Host. Peace, I say, Gallia and Wallia, French and 
Welch, Soul-Curer and Body-Curer. 

Caius. I, dat is very good, excellaunt. 

Host. Peace, I say ; hear mine Host of the Garter ; 
am I politick ? am I subtle ? am I Machivell ? shall 
I loose my doctor ? No. He givves me the potions and 
y e motions. Shall I loose my Parson ? my Priest ? my 
S r - Hugh ? No, he gives me the Proverbs and the No-verbs. 
Give me thy hand (celestiall) so ; Boys of Art, I have 
deceived yon both ; I have directed you to wrong places ; 
your hearts are mighty, your skins are whole, and let 
burn't-sack be the issue. Come, lay their Swords to 
pawne ; Follow me, lad of peace, follow, follow. 

Shallow. Trust me, a mad host : follow, Gent. 

Slender. O sweet Ann Page. 

Caius. Ha' do I perceive dat ? Have you make-a-de- 
sott of vs, ha ha ? 

.Evan. This is well, he has made vs his vlowting-stog ; 
I desire y* we may be Friends, and let vs knog our prains 
together to be revenge on this scurvy cogging companion 
the Host of the Garter. 

Caius. By Gar, with all my heart ; he promise me 
where is Ann Page ; by gar, he deceive a-me too. 

Evan. Well, I will smite noddles. Pray follow. 

50. 
A fragment of an old chap-book edition of "The 
Boke of Merry Piddles," embellished with nine-teen rude 
woodcuts. 12mo. 



93 

There were a great number of editions of this little 
work, varying very considerably from each other, but 
they are all now of excessive rarity. The reader will 
recollect that it is referred to by Master Slender, in the 
Merry Wives of Windsor, Act i. sc. 1. A short specimen 
from the present version, will suffice to give some idea 
how easily our ancestors were amused. 

Q. This moment I was not at all ; 
Then I in the world do fall, 
And if not careful, I annoy, 
For where I come, I do destroy. 

A. A fire from a flint and steel, before struck, was 
nothing ; but when falling on timber, without care will 
destroy. 

Q. Tho' it be cold, I wear no cloaths, 

The frost and snow I never fear ; 
I value neither shoes nor hose, 

And yet I wander far and near : 
Both meat and drink is always free, 

I drink no cyder, mum, nor beer. 
What Providence doth send to me, 

I neither buy, nor sell, nor lack. 

A. A herring swimming in the sea. 

Q. I have a head, but ne'er an eye ; 
I have no legs, but wings to fly : 



94 

When of an errand I am sent, 
I cleave the very element. 

A. A Sculler's boat ; the water's the element, the 
scullers are the wings. 

Q. When first I in the world was seen, 

I had no sign of sense ; 
My mother, she was poor and near, 

Not worth than passing eighteenn pence. 
Then I another mother had, 

By whom I first became alive ; 
By her I first was likewise clad, 

And now I for a livino" strive. 



i & 



A. A chicken from an egg, laid by one hen, and 
hatch'd by another. 

51. 

A medieval thumb-ring, of the fourteenth or fifteenth 
century, with the initial and contraction of the name of 
the owner in Gothic characters, believed to be the ring of 
Matthew Vivent, a citizen of London, related to Thomas 
Vivent, who was sheriff of London in 1390, according to 
Stowe, Survey of London, ed. 1633, p. 557. The surname 
is vivent, in a contracted form, and the ring was found in 
the mud of the Thames in the year 1850. 

The custom of wearing a ring on the thumb is very 
ancient. In Chaucer's Squier's Tale, it is said of the 



95 

rider of the brazen horse, who advanced into the hall of 
Cambuscan, that 

" upon his thombe he had of gold a ring." 

Brome, in his Northern Lass, mentions a good man in 
the city, who " wears nothing rich abont him but the 
gout, or a thumb-ring." Falstaff, in 1 Henry IV., Act 
ii. sc. 4, tells the Prince that when he was a young man, 
" I was not an eagle's talon in the waist ; / could have 
crept into any alderman's thumb-ring" It would be a 
curious coincidence, were it to turn out that this Vivent 
was an alderman of London. It is not at all unlikely, 
but I have had no opportunity of making the researches 
necessary to establish such a fact. 

52. 

An ancient British coin, described by Messrs. Sotheby, 
in their sale catalogue, as a very rare and unpublished 
type of the British king Cunobelin (Cymbeline). I have 
some little doubt as to the correctness of this, though the 
letters, as far as I can trace them, undoubtedly favour 
the interpretation. Coins of Cunobelin are of con- 
siderable rarity. 

53. 

A gilt silver milled sixpence of Queen Elizabeth, 1562. 
A beautiful specimen. Alluded to in the Merry Wives of 
Windsor, Act i. sc. 1. 

54. 

A very fine large silver medal of Shakespeare by 



96 

Kuchler, 1803, issued with Boydelfs Shakespeare to the 
Countess of Pembroke. He was a man take him for 

ALL IN ALL, I SHALL NOT LOOK UPON HIS LIKE AGAIN. On 

one side, Shakespeare, supported by Tragedy and Painting, 
finely executed. On the reverse, "This Medal, repre- 
senting Shakespeare between the Dramatick Muse and 
the Genius of Painting, is respectfully presented to the 
Person whose name it bears, in grateful Commemoration 
of the generous Support given by the Subscribers to the 
great National Edition of that Immortal Poet, by I. I. 
and J. N. Boydell, and G. and W. Nicol. 1803." 

55. 

A bronze medal. On one side, the head, Gulielmtjs 
Shakespeare. On the reverse, mountainous scenery. 
Wild above the rule or art. Nat. 1564. 

5Q. 

A bronze medal, struck in 1818. On one side, the 
head, Gulielmus Shakespeare. On the reverse, Natus 
Stratfordle in Anglia an. m.d.lxiv. Obiit an. m.dc.xvt. 
Series numismatica universalis virorum illustrium. 

57. 
A Shakespeare medal, in pewter. 

58. 
An ancient rowel spur of the fifteenth century, rusted, 
but the rowel quite distinct. A rowel is derived from 



97 

roue, a wheel ; and a rowel spur, is when the points of 
a spur turn on an axis. The present specimen is very 
similar in character to one engraved in Knight's Library 
Shakespeare, vol. v. p. 156. 

With that, he gave his able horse the head, 
And, bending forward, struck his armed heels 
Against the panting sides of his poor jade 
Up to the rowel head ; and starting so, 
He seem'd in running to devour the way, 
Staying no longer question. 

King Henry the Fourth, Part 2nd, Act i. sc. 1. 

59. 

Original autograph signatures of Sir Thomas Lucy, 
and Alice Lucy, written about the year 1610. 

The seals originally attached to these signatures, 
have unfortunately been broken off and destroyed. The 
autographs of the Lucy family, of this early period, are 
very rarely met with, even in the largest autograph 
collections. 

60. 

An old sheet ballad, entitled, " The Just Judgment of 
God shew'd upon Dr. John Faustus, To the Tune of 
Fortune my Foe, &c" There is a large and hideous 
woodcut of Dr. Faustus conjuring up the devil. 

" Run away with the cozeners ; for so soon as I came 
beyond Eton, they threw me off, from behind one of 

13 



98 

them, in a slough of mire ; and set spurs, and away, like 
three German devils, three Doctor Faustuses." 

Merry Wives of Windsor, Act iv. sc. 5. 

61. 

An ancient charter, on vellum, dated 14 Edward III., 
a.d. 1340, between John Roys of Grantham and John 
Page of Ropsly, co. Line, slightly damaged at one end. 
This charter finds a place in this collection, as showing 
the antiquity of the name of Page, introduced in the 
Merry Wives of Windsor. 

62. 

An original letter, of the time of Queen Elizabeth, of 
which the following is a copy : — 

" Mr. Lovelace, I wold desier you of all love, to let 
roger cosens come to help mee on Sunday, to wait on my 
weddinge day, and I shall humble thanke you for this, 
and all your love towards mee all waies, 

your lovinge frende to his power 

Edmunde Awsten." 

This note, besides affording a specimen of familiar 
note-writing in Shakespeare's time, curiously illustrates 
the antique phrase of all love, which occurs more than 
once in the pages of the great dramatist. 

Alack, where are you ? speak, an if you hear : 
Speak, of all loves ; I swoon almost with fear. 

Midsummer NigMs Bream, Act ii. sc. 3. 



99 



63. 



" The Bellman of St. James's Verses Extraordinary, 
to the Nobility, Gentry and all my good Masters and 
Mistresses of the Parish of St. James's, and without, 
these Lines are humbly presented by John Trot, 
Voluntier Bellman." A folio sheet, " Printed for J. 
Oldcastle, near St. Paul's, 1746/' 

On the top is a woodcut of the bellman and his dog. 
As bellman's verses, of so early a date, are of the greatest 
rarity, the reader may be interested in the following 
extracts : — 

THE PROLOGUE. 

Attend, my Friends, attend, and ye shall hear 

Strains not unworthy of the Royal Ear : 

Strains such as Lords and Commons may delight, 

And such as even Parters shall not slight, 

Or G — 's Laureat might be proud to write. 

And thou meek Goddes, who hast strech'd thy Rule 

O'er all this Land, so purg'd of Knave and Fool, 

Great Durvia hight, ah, aid me in my song, 

That I may captivate the mighty throng 

Of all the great, who own thy noble Sway, 

Thy Badges wear, and thy Behests obey. 

And as for thee, thou Muse, who didst inspire 

Your Swifts, and Popes, with all their paultry Fire ; 

Keep far away from me, I pray, for why ? 

They wa'ant much lik'd by Ministers, or Majesty. 



100 

For mee, good sooth, who die to make my Court, 
Give me great C — b — r's Talent to make sport, 
Since I should count it worst of all Disasters, 
To have more Wit than you, My Lords, and Masters. 

ON NEW YEAR'S DAY. 

King of the Cannibals, devouring Time, 
Hast thou in all thy Progress o'er this clime, 
Roll'd such a glorious year as was the last ? 
Or e'er afforded such a Prospect past ? 
What a Review of Councils deep and wise ! 
Of Britain's Consert with her dear Allies ! 
Of equal Honour won by Land and Sea ! 
Whilst Chance with Merit did so well agree. 
Now forward look, and without Flatt'ry tell, 
If all things promise not at least as well. 

TO MY GOOD MASTERS THE NOBLES OF 
THE LAND. 

Oh quite alive to Fame, oh greatly born, 
Your Country's brightest Period to adorn ! 
How shall the Muse your genuine Worth declare, 
Or paint those Virtues which so strongly glare, 
As were your Sires alive would make them stare ; 
Most uncorrupt Protectors of our Laws, 
And ever foremost in old England's Cause ; 
No dirty Job is seen to stain your Ermin, 
Or level you with Grubs, and Courtly Vermin. 



101 

In Arms and Arts alike yon lead the Van, 
Glorious to end what W — le first began. 
Yonr Catos, Hampdens, are all stale Examples, 
Sir Billy, or his Grace, are better Samples ; 
And whilst the growing Taste yon club to nourish, 
Bellmen, like me, will have their turn to flourish ; 
Strains worthy of such Worthies to indite, 
And just as nobly as you live, will write. 

TO THE PLAYERS. 

Hail blooming Buds of blessed Reformation, 

Who not content to edify the Nation 

By schemes of loyal Association, 

Have, to the Wonder of this wicked Age, 

Brought holy Hymns and Prologues on the Stage. 

See pious M — n out-goygle a Divine, 

And chastest Kate the Cebrus fervent join, 

Whilst at the other House a Popish Vestal, 

For Protestancy does her very best all ; 

What then remains, but that these Priest-like 

Players, 
Should after Anthems, give new Forms of Prayers ! 

Shakespeare alludes to the bellman in Macbeth, Act 

ii. sc. 2, — 

It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman 
Which gives the stern'st good night. 

The present is the earliest copy of bellman's verses 



102 

in a sheet broadside, I ever met with. The bellman was 
once a person of note, and, at Christmas time, would 
awake the public out of their first sleep to tell them, 
in doggrel similar to the above, whatever tidings or 
advice it appeared good to him to proclaim. A little 
book, published in 1707, under the title of " The Bell- 
man's Treasury," contains a collection of these verses. 

64. 

An interesting coin of Marcus Brutus, Brvt. Imp. L. 
Plaet. Cest., Head of Marcus Brutus, reverse, 
Eid. Mar., a cap of liberty between two 
daggers. 

This exceedingly rare coin is an interesting 
illustration of Shakespeare's Julius Csesar, being a dena- 
rius struck by Brutus, immediately after the murder 
of the emperor, and commemorating that event. The 
obverse shows the head of Brutus. The reverse (a repre- 
sentation of which is here given) has the cap of liberty 
(the pileus, given to slaves when emancipated, and hence 
used as a type of liberty) between two daggers, in allu- 
sion to Caesar's death ; the inscription is Eid. Mar., an 
abbreviation of the " Ides of March", of which the em- 
peror had been forwarned. 

On the whole, this is an extremely curious and in- 
teresting illustration of Shakespeare. Some doubt has 
been thrown upon its authenticity; but Mr. Brumell, an 
eminent collector, gave £4 : 12 for this identical coin, at 
Mr. Stephenson's sale at Norwich. 




103 

65. 

An ancient love-token, of the time of Shakespeare, 
consisting of a piece of silk carefully folded in a small 
paper bearing the inscription, 

FFOR THE ABSENT OWNERS SAKE I KEEPE IT. 

Thou, thou, Lysander, thou hast given her rhymes, 
And interchang'd love-tokens with my child. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act i. sc. 1. 

66. 

A silver medal. Obverse, William Shakespeare, 
born April 23, 1564, Died Aprtl 23, 1616, bust of 
Shakespeare. Reverse, To the which Place, a poor 

SEQUESTERED STAG THAT FROM THE HUNTER'S AIM HAD 

ta'en a hurt did come to languish ; Jaques in the 
forest. A large medal, executed by Westwood. 

67. 
An impression of Westwood's Jubilee Medal, in bronze. 

See No. 41. 

68. 

A Silver Pomander, of the time of Queen Elizabeth, 
with a chain, in fine and perfect condition. 

A pomander was a composition of perfumes, wrought 
into the shape of a ball, and enclosed in a small re- 
ceptacle, usually of silver or gold, and worn in the 
pocket, or appended as an ornament from the girdle, or 



104 

about the neck. The present very fine specimen is of 
the size here represented, suspended by a chain nearly 




seven inches long, which is terminated by a small circular 
loop of silver. It is opened by being turned round, till 
the two small hooks on the sides arrive at openings in 
the middle rim, just large enough for them to pass 
through. There is a deal of good taste in this simple 
design, which might be revived advantageously, even in 
the present advanced state of ornamental art. It is 
almost unnecessary to observe that the small perfora- 
tions are intended for the purpose of allowing the 
perfume to escape, as pomanders were used for pre- 
servatives against the plague, and consequently the effect 
was required to be continuous. Autolycus sold every 
pomander he had in his pack : — 

" Ha, ha ! what a fool Honesty is ! and Trust, his sworn 



105 

brother, a very simple gentleman ! I have sold all my 
trumpery ; not a counterfeit stone, not a riband, glass, 
pomander, brooch, table-book, ballad, knife, tape, glove, 
shoe-tie, bracelet, horn-ring, to keep my pack from 
fasting," 

In a list of plate sold in 1546, we find, " a pomander, 
weying three ounces and a half." Herrick alludes to the 
pomander in one of his poems, — 

" When as the meanest part of her 
Smells like the maiden pomander." 

The following recipe for making the perfume of a 
pomander, is extracted from a rare little book, entitled 
" A Closet for Ladies and Gentlewomen," circa 1650, — 

" Take of Beazon one drain and a halfe, of Storax halfe 
a dram, of Lignum Aloes in fine powder halfe a scruple, 
of Labdanum halfe an ounce : powder all these very fine, 
and searce them thorow Lawne : and then take of Musk 
a dram, Ambergreece ten grains, Civet ten grains, and 
dissolve them in a hot Mortar with a little Rose-water, 
and so make them into a Pomander, putting into it six 
graines of civet." 

Genuine original pomanders of the time of Shake- 
speare, like the present one, are of the highest degree 
of rarity. There was one in the medieval Exhibition 
of the Society of Arts, belonging to Mr. Bryant, the 
curiosity dealer, of St. James's Street, London, who 
asked, I am informed, upwards of two hundred pounds 
for it ! 

14 



106 

69. 

An Excellent Ballad of the Life and Death of King 
Richard the Third : Who, after many Murthers by him 
committed upon the Princes and Nobles of this Land, 
was slain at the Battle of Bosworth in Leicestershire, 
by Henry the Seventh, King of England. To the Time 
of, " Who list to lead a Soldier's Life." 

70. 

"An Epitaph upon Shakespeare/' This is a manu- 
script copy of Basse's celebrated epitaph, taken from an 
old common-place book. 

71. 

An old sheet-ballad of Patient Grissel, with one wood- 
cut. It commences, — 

A noble Marquis, as he was hunting, 

Hard by a forest side, 
A fair and comely maiden, as she did sit a spinning, 

His gentle eye espy'd. 

The reader will find an account of this ballad in Mr. 
Collier's preface to his edition of the comedy of Patient 
Grissil, printed for the Shakespeare Society, in 1841. 
Patient Grissel is alluded to in the Taming of the Shrew, 
Act ii, sc. 1. 

72. 
" Cupid's Revenge, or an Account of a King who 



107 

slighted all Women, and at length was forced to Marry 
a Beggar." 

An old sheet ballad, commencing, — 

A King once reign'd beyond the seas, 

As we in antient story find, 
Who no face conld ever please ; 

He cared not for women kind. 

This is a curious variation of the old ballad of King 
Cophetua and the Beggar Maid, several times alluded to 
by Shakespeare. 

"Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the 
Beggar ? 

Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad 
some three ages since : but, I think, now 'tis not to be 
found : or, if it were, it would neither serve for the 
writing nor the tune." 

Love's Labour's Lost, Act i. sc. 2. 

73, 

A long and interesting autograph Letter of George 
Steevens, dated at Hampstead, Dec. 3rd, 1772, relating 
to his edition of Shakespeare. 

It is endorsed " Mr Steevens of Hampsted to me about 
his Preface for y e new Edition of Shakespeare." This 
me was Garrick, an appropriation which is confirmed by 
a passage in the letter, where Steevens says, " I have 
taken the Liberty to introduce your Name, because I 
have found no Reason to say that the Possessors of 
the old Quartos were not sufficiently communicative." 



108 

Steevens commences by observing, " The Legitimacy of 
an Edition of Shakespeare can no more be ascertained to 
satisfaction, without the Testimony of the Poet's High 
Priest, than that of a Prince can be lawfully proved, 
unless the Archbishop attends in Person." In another 
part of the letter, alluding to the commentators, he says, 
— " The next Persons to whose care our distemper d Bard 
is entrusted, must cut the superfluous Bandages, strip off 
the unnecessary Blankets, and allow him the free use 
of his Limbs, for the speedier Recovery of his Health, 
if I offend not to say he is sick of any thing but his 
Commentators. To add another allusion in Ridicule of 
ourselves, we may be said to have rid poor Shakespeare 
like the Nightmare ; nor till he has thrown us (which 
I trust, through some peppery Preparation dapp'd under 
his Tail by that roguish Jockey, Mr. Kenrick, he will 
not fail to do,) you will hardly think his Circulation 
effectually restored." In a postscript, he asks for places 
where Hamlet is performed. 

74 

Three original printed bills, dated 1614, used in the 
Italian Tournaments of Love. Very curious, and in fine 
preservation. 

'• He set up his bills here in Messina, and challenged 
Cupid at the flight ; and my Uncle's fool, reading the 
challenge, subscribed for Cupid, and challenged him at 
the bird-bolt." — Much Ado about Nothing, A.ct i. sc. 1. 



109 

75. 
A modern sheet-ballad, called " The Northern Lord/' 
printed by J. Turner, High Street, Coventry. It is 
curious as being founded on the Merchant of Venice, and 
although no very early copy has yet been discovered, 
it is believed to be a reprint of a genuine old black-letter 
ballad. 

76. 

A Courtly New Ballad of the Princely Wooing of 
the Fair Maid of London by King Edward. Tune of 
Bonny sweet Robin. 

This ballad is mentioned by Ritson, in his note on 
" Bonny sweet Robin", in Hamlet, A ct iv. sc. 5. The 
tune is also mentioned in the " Two Noble Kinsmen", Act 
iv. sc. 1, and is still preserved. 

77. 

Macklin's part in "As You Like It." The original 
stage manuscrij)t. 4to. 

78. 

Original Lease, on vellum, dated 1571, of a mesuagium 
et tenementum vocatum le Boreshed in paroehia sancti 
Botulphi juxta Billinsgate. 

There was more than one tavern, called the Boar's 
Head, in the neighbourhood of Eastcheap. This one 
must have been very near the original, and might have 



110 

been visited by Shakespeare. At all events, the identity 
of name renders it sufficiently curious to be included 
in the present collection. 

79. 

Rex Platonicus, sive, de potentissimi Principis Jacobi 
Britanniarum Regis ad illustrissimam Academiam Oxoni- 
ensem adventu, Aug. 27, anno 1605, Narratio ab Isaaco 
Wake, Publico Academise ejusdem Oratore, tunc temporis 
conscripta, nunc iterum in lucem edita, multis in 
locis auctior et emendatior. Editio Secunda. Oxonia3, 
Excudebat Josephus Barnesius, Anno Dom. 1607. l2mo. 

The notice of the tale of Macbeth in this work is 
well known, but the present edition seems to have 
escaped the notice of all bibliographers. The first edition 
was published at Oxford, in 4to, 1607, but no one seems 
to have been aware of a second edition, published in 
the same year in another form. This circumstance shows 
the popularity of the work. The earliest edition in the 
British Museum is dated 1627. The Bodleian has the 
first edition, and the third, which was printed in 1615 ; 
but I cannot trace a notice of the second, in any 
catalogue or bibliographical dictionary. 

80. 

Two transcripts of the play of Vortigern, attributed by 
Ireland to Shakespeare, with numerous corrections and 
interlineations, and the following note by Ireland on the 
first leaf, — 



Ill 

" Two Transcripts of the Play of Vortigern, taken from 
my supposed Shakespeare manuscript, the first written 
by my mother, the second by my sister, Anna Maria 
Ireland. 

28 February, 1824. W. H. Ireland." 

Mrs. Ireland adds the following note, — " As in the 
original manuscript, the word scene is but once mentioned, 
and as there is not any notice taken of the entrances 
or exits of the characters, I have drawn my pen thro' the 
passages so marked, on my comparing it with the Manu- 
script." 

Bound in one folio volume, the first transcript contain- 
ing 108 leaves, the second 99. 

81. 

Wits Common Wealth. The Second Part. A Treasurie 
of Diuine, Morall, and Phylosophycall similies and 
sentences, generally vsefull, but more particularly pub- 
lished for the vse of Schooles. By F. M., Master of Arts 
of both Vniversities. London, Printed by William 
Stansby, and are to be sold by Richard Royston at his 
Shop in luie Lane. 1634. 12mo. 

This little volume, which is perfect with the exception 
. of a small fragment torn from a leaf in the Table, enters 
into the present series, as containing a reprint of the very 
curious notices of Shakespeare which originally appeared 
in the Palladis Tamia, 12mo, 1598. These occur at page 
623 of the present edition : — " As the soule of Euphorbus 






112 

was thought to Hue in Pythagoras, so the sweete witte 
soule of Ouid liues in the mellifluous and hony-tongued 
Shakespeare ; witnesse his Venus and Adonis, his Lucrece, 
his sugred Sonnets among his priuate friends, etc. As 
Plautus and Seneca are accounted the best for Comedy 
and Tragedy among the Latines, so Shakespeare, among 
the English, is the most excellent in both kinds for the 
stage ; for Comedy, witnesse his Gentlemen of Verona, his 
Errors, his Loue Labors Lost, his Loue Labors Wonne, his 
Midsummers Night Dreame, and his Merchant of Venice : 
for Tragedy, his Richard the Second, Richard the Third, 
Henry the Fourth, King John, Titus Andronicus, and 
his Romeo and Juliet." 

This edition is probably rare, for it is not mentioned by 
Lowndes. Bright had an edition, dated 1636, which sold 
at the sale of his Library in 1845, No. 3791, for <£l : 13. 



A drawing, in colours, of the tomb of Shakespeare at 
Stratford-on-Avon, by J. G. Jackson, measuring 9| by 6| 
inches. This drawing was purchased at the sale of the 
collection of the late Thomas Moule, the distinguished 
heraldic antiquary ; and it gives a very good idea of the 
general character of the monument, and of its position in 
the chancel. 

83. 

A gilt two-pence, and a gilt half-groat, both silver-gilt, 
and of the same value, of the time of James I. Rosa 
sine spina. In good preservation. 



113 

" To the which course if I be enforced, if you do not all 
show like gilt two-pences to me • and I, in the clear sky of 
fame, o'ershine you as much as the full moon doth the 
cinders of the element, which show like pins' heads to 
her ; believe not the word of the noble." — Second Part of 
Henry IV, Act iv, Sc. 3. 

84 

A gold posy-ring, the motto being a pun on some 
person's initials : — 

I CANNOT SHOW 

The love I. 0. 

85. 
Another posy-ring, in gold : — 

God . aboue . 
Increase . our . loue. 

86. 
A third posy-ring, in gold : — 

God's blessing be 
With thee and me. 

87. 
A fourth posy -ring, in gold : — 

Leett loue abide 
Till death deutde. 

15 



114 

88. 

A fifth posy-ring, in gold, with a single line posy, Let 
vertue rule AFFECTION. Well might Hamlet compare 
the prologue to a posy, — " Is this a prologue, or the posy 
of a ring ?" Ophelia replies, " 'Tis brief, my lord." 

Mr. Crofton Croker has collected a large number of posy 
mottoes, but has not yet succeeded in discovering one 
with the motto, Love me and leave me not, which 
Shakespeare mentions in the Merchant of Venice, Act v, 
sc. 1. 

The present interesting collection of original posy rings, 
Nos. 84 to 88, all in gold, and in fine preservation, belong 
to the first half of the seventeenth century. They were 
bought by me at Messrs. Sotheby's for the small sum of 
£3 : 7. 

89. 

The Gobblings, a Comedy presented at the Private 
House in Black-Fryers by his Majesties Servants. 
Written by Sir John Suckling. London, Printed for 
Humphrey Moseley, and are to be sold at his shop at the 
sign of the Princes Arms in St. Paul's Churchyard, 
1658. 8vo. 

This volume is quite perfect, but the paging skips from 
12. to 81 ; probably some of the spare copies were made 
up from the Fragmenta Aurea. Part of this play is 
imitated from Shakespeare's " Tempest", the character of 
Reginella being a clear imitation of Miranda, and his 
goblins copied from Ariel. 



115 

90. 

The Malcontent, augmented by Marston, with the 
Additions played by the Kings Maiesties servants. 
Written by Ikon Webster. 1604. At London, Printed 
by V. S. for William Apsley, and are to be sold at kis 
skop in Panles Ckurckyard. 4to. 

Tkis rare play contains several curious allusions to, and 
illustrations of, Shakespeare's plays. The Induction of 
the players is very curious, and Sly, the actor, is intro- 
duced quoting a kne from the part of Osrick, in Hamlet. 
Burbage, also, is introduced, as well as Condell and 
Lowin. 

91. 

The Play of Twelfth Night, from the edition of 
1632, a play-house copy of about the date of 1640, 
with the names of the characters in the places where 
they were to be in readiness to take their parts, 
etc., fol. 

This volume is extremely interesting, as showing the 
plan of an early performance of the play. It is curious to 
observe how little is omitted from the original text. The 
places for "musicke" are noted. Instead of the song at 
the end of Act iv, sc. 2, we have only the following knes, — 

"I am gone, sir, and, anon, sir, 
He be with you againe, sir." 

92. 
Autograph of Ben Jonson, Sum Ben : Jonsonii, with 



116 

his motto, tanquam explorator, in his own hand- writing, 
on the title-page of a book entitled Moralis et Civilis 
Sapientim Monita, 12mo. 1611. 

Ben Jonson's autograph is not uncommon, but it is 
seldom accompanied with the slightest scrap of other 
writing. The present specimen is, therefore, additionally 
interesting ; and " rare Ben", the friend of Shakespeare, 
deserves a niche even in a cabinet dedicated to the illus- 
tration of the greater poet. 

93. 

Gray's Almanacke, 1591. An Almanacke and Pro- 
gnostication made for the yeere of our Lorde God 1591, 
rectified for the eleuation and meridian of Dorchester, 
seruing most aptly for the West partes, and generally for 
all Englande, by Walter Gray, gentleman. Cum priuilegio. 
18mo. Imprinted at London by Richard Watkins and 
lames Robertes. Black-letter. 

This diminutive little volume, measuring only 3f inches 
by 2 1, is of the highest degree of rarity. The almanack 



f two axwefce ana.rlfrwm .wipe wwitwg, 

ittAquaxc. 



vftii 


i 




%Mx 


i 


XJl* 


9 


#eKx$$fel. 


nx, 


a 


&bc)&tt(t£>cu. 


nn 


b 


<5cmm? . 



Tgtfce.o 

IPiCce-29 
&vit£ is 



us 

ah 



had become an object of constant reference in Shake- 
speare's time. Even Bottom is made to refer to it for the 



117 

nights of moon-shine. The conjunctions of the planets, 
alluded to in 2 Henry IV, Act ii, sc. 4, are given in the 
present one, as are also weather prognostications : — 
" greater storms and tempests that almanacks can report", 
Anthony and Cleopatra, Act i, sc. 2. Shakespeare has 
several other allusions to the almanacs, calendars, and 
prognostications current in his day ; and it would be 
difficult to meet with a more perfect illustration of them 
than is afforded by the present specimen. 

94. 

A Greek drachma, Alexander the Great. The drachma 
is alluded to in the Roman play of Julius Cassar. It 
passed current at Rome as about the value of a denarius. 

95. 
Three specimens of old silver coins, exhibiting a cross 
on one side. Hence, any piece of money was called a 
cross. Shakespeare is fond of quibbling on this word. 
When Falstaff asks the Chief Justice for money, he 
replies, — " Not a penny, not a penny ; you are too im- 
patient to bear crosses." Compare, also, Love's Labour s 
Lost, Act i, sc. 2, and As You Like It, Act ii, sc. 4. 

96. 

The Chandos Portrait of Shakespeare, a director's proof 
of the Shakespeare Society's engraving by Cousins, of 
which only fifty copies were taken, at £2 : 2 each. The 
present is No. 30, attested by Mr. Collier. 



118 

97. 
A silver posy-ring, of the early part of the seventeenth 
century, with the motto, Be true. E. K. 

Presented by T. Crofton Croker, Esq. 

98. 

Thorny Abbey, or the London Maid. A Tragedy, 
written by T. W. London, Printed in the year 1662. 
12mo. 

The author of this little play is not known. It is 
written in imitation of Macbeth. 

99. 

The Heire, a Comedie, as it was Acted by the Company 
of the Revels, 1620. Written by T. M. The second 
Impression. London, Printed by Augustine Mathewes 
for Thomas Iones, and are to be sold at his shop in 
S. Dunstans Church-yard in Fleet-street. 1633. 4to. 

Several portions of the design of this play are 
borrowed from Shakespeare. The demand of the king 
that Leucothoe shall yield, as the sole condition upon 
which he would spare the life of her lover, is taken 
from Measure for Measure, The constable and watch 
who seize Eugenio seem to have had their language 
and manners from those in Much Ado About Nothing; 
and the enmity of the two houses reminds us of Romeo 
and Juliet. Amongst the characters is, " Shallow, a 
foolish gentleman/' 



119 

100. 

The Raigne of King Edward the Third, as it hath 
bene sundry times played about the Citie of London. 
Imprinted at London by Simon Stafford for Cuthbert 
Burby, and are to be sold at his shop neere the Royall 
Exchange. 1599. 4to. 

This rare play is unfortunately imperfect, wanting 
the last leaf, and another in sheet I. A perfect copy sold 
at Sotheby's in 1821 for £5, and another in 1824 for 
£4 : 18. It was attributed by Capell to Shakespeare. 

101. 

The Pleasant History of Dorastus and Fawnia, 
Pleasant for Age to shun drousy Thoughts, Profitable for 
Youth to avoid other wanton Pastimes, and bringing 
to both a desired Content. By Robert Green, Master of 
Arts in Cambridge. London, Printed by H. Brugis for 
J. Clark, W. Thackeray, and T. Passinger, 1684. 4to. 
Black-letter. 

An interesting, and exceedingly rare, edition of this 
popular romance, well-known as the foundation of Shake- 
speare's Winter's Tale. The annexed woodcut, illus- 
trative of the story, is on the title page, and on the last 
page are representations of Charles the Second and his 
Queen. Mr. Dyce has no mention of the present edition, 
although he notices eleven printed between 1607 and 
1735, and what is yet more remarkable, the present 
copy contains the lines from Dorastus to Fawnia, which 
Mr. Dyce says he first meets with in the edition of 1694. 



120 

See his edition of Greene's Works, vol. ii, p. 242. There 
are not many variations between the copies, but the 
following line may be worth giving, — 

" So as she shews, so seems the budding rose." 



This romance was originally published in the year 
1588, under the title of, " Pandosto, the Triumph of 
Time, wherein is discovered, by a pleasant Historic, that 
although, by the meanes of sinister fortune, Truth may 
be concealed, yet by Time, in spight of Fortune, it is 
most manifestly revealed." No perfect copy of this first 



121 

edition is known, and all the early editions are of 
great rarity. 

102. 

The last leaves from the old editions of ' Sej amis' and 
' Every Man in his Humour/ containing the lists of the 
actors or "principall" tragcedians and comedians. The 
name of Shakespeare occurs in both these lists, in one, 
Will. Shakespeare, in the other, Will. Shake-speare. 

103. 

One of the twelve mulberry-tree rtngs, manu- 
factured on the occasion of the Jubilee by T. Sharp, 
with the head of Shakespeare engraved on a piece of the 
mulberry tree under glass, and inscribed on the shank, 
Shakespeare 's Wood. T. Sharp. 

Supposititious reliques of Shakespeare's mulberry tree, 
and close imitations of known genuine ones, are so 
numerous, it is with extreme hesitation I admit a single 
specimen into this collection ; but the genuineness of the 
present one may be safely accepted, it being, as I am 
informed on the testimony of Mr. Crofton Croker, one 
of twelve rings manufactured by T. Sharp on the occasion 
of the Jubilee in 1769, only thirteen years after the 
mulberry tree was cut down. Sharp appears to have 
been the only manufacterer of these relics, whose testi- 
mony as to their authenticity is at all to be depended 
upon. In the Gentleman's Magazine for October, 1799, 
p. 909, there is recorded the death of Thomas Sharp, 

16 



122 

Clock and Watch Maker at Stratford-upon-Avon, "a 
person almost universally known amongst the admirers 
of Shakespeare, as proprietor and inventor of the curious 
toys made of the famous mulberry tree, said to have been 
planted by the poet's own hand ; for which wood he had 
conceived such an esteem, that he considered it as an 
invaluable relick. And in order to confirm its value in 
the esteem of those who may have or may hereafter 
become purchasers, the day before he expired, he took 
his oath upon the Holy Evangelists that he never in 
his life bought, made up, worked, sold, or substituted any 
other mulberry wood than what was part of the tree 
which he purchased of the Rev. J. Gastrell, who cut 
it down in 1756, and which he had heard Sir Hugh 
Clopton, Knt., Barrister at Law, one of the Heralds at 
Arms, and a Justice of Peace for the County of Warwick, 
with whom he was personally acquainted, positively 
declare was planted by the hand of Shakespeare. His 
affidavit was made in the presence of Mr. Thomas Nott 
and Mr. Richard Allen, Magistrates of the Borough of 
Stratford, who, by his own request, kindly attended on 
him for that purpose, and signed their names, which done 
he declared he should die contented. He was a person 
of the strictest integrity." 

104 

A carved bone powder-flask, representing subjects 
connected with the chase. 

Long. The face of an old Roman coin, scarce seen. 



123 

Boyet. The pumniel of Caesar's faulchion. 
Bum. The carv'd bone face on a flask. 

Love's Labour's Lost, Act v, sc. 2. 

105. 
A three-farthing silver piece of the time of Queen Eli- 
zabeth, generally called " the three-farthing rose." There 
is an allusion to this coin in King John, Act i, sc. 1, — 

— my face so thin, 
That in mine ear I durst not stick a rose, 
Lest men should say, Look, where three-farthings goes. 

In the coin, the rose is placed behind the head. The 
allusion is so minute that the coin (which is not common) 
becomes an interesting Shakespearian illustration. See 
Mr. Knight's Library edition of Shakespeare, vol. iv, p. 259. 

106. 

Gesta Inclita Tyrii Appollonit Regis, a beautiful 
manuscript of the fifteenth century, quite perfect and 
in fine preservation. 

Early MSS. of this romance, on which, it is scarcely 
necessary to observe, was founded Shakespeare's Pericles, 
are of the rarest occurrence, and even the few which 
are known to exist are chiefly to be found in public 
libraries. Douce, in his Illustrations, ed. 1839, p. 401, 
has noticed several, all of which are in colleges or public 
institutions. 



124 



107, 

Poems, &c. written by Sir John Suckling. Printed by 
his own Copy. The Lyrick Poems were set in Musick 
by Mr. Henry Lawes, gent, of the King's Chappel, and 
one of His Majesties Private Musick. London, Printed 
by Tho. Warren for Humphry Mosely, and are to be sold 
at his Shop at the sign of the Prince's Arms in S. Paul's 
Churchyard, 1648. 8vo. 

At p. 35 is, " a Supplement of an imperfect Copy of 
Verses of Mr. William Shakespears, by the Author/' 
The copy wants three leaves in the first sheet. 

108. 

William How's Common-place Book, temp. Charles I, 
including extracts from Pericles, the Merchant of Venice, 
and various other plays, a neatly written and very 
curious MS. 12mo. 

Early manuscript miscellanies, containing extracts 
from any of Shakespeare's plays, are of a high degree 
of rarity. 

109, 

Five Shakespearian seals. Presented by T. Crofton 

Croker, Esq. F.8.A. 

110. 

A specimen of the old brass sun-ring or ring-dial, such 
a one as is supposed to have been used by Touchstone in 






125 



the forest. The circles are quite perfect, but the ring 
appears to be wanting, and its construction seems to 
be different from that described by Mr. Knight, in his 
notes on As You Like It, Act ii. Its application is, 
however, placed beyond a doubt by the following lines, 
which are engraved on the inner circle, — 

Set me right, and use me well, 
And I to you the time will tell. 

These old ring-dials are of great rarity. Mr. Knight's 
is the only perfect one I know of, but the present is 
sufficiently complete to furnish a very interesting illustra- 
tion of 

Touchstone's Dial. 



111. 

Two Bookes of Epigrammes and Epitaphs, dedicated 
to two top-branches of Gentry, Sir Charles Shirley, 
Baronet, and William Davenport, Esq. Written by 
Thomas Bancroft. London, Printed by J. Okes for 
Matthew Walbancke, and are to be sold at his shop in 
Graves Inne-gate, 1639. 4to. 

This copy belonged to T. Park, and has MS. notes by 
him. It is the same which is described in the Bibliotheca 
Anglo-Poetica, there valued at <£20 ; and although the 
price has fallen since that work was published, it still 
realizes a liberal sum. Skegg's copy sold for £5 : 15. 



126 

The work is very valuable to biographical enquirers, and 
enters into this collection from containing the following 
curious epigrams on Shakespeare, unnoticed by Malone, — 

118. To Shakespeare. 

Thy Muses sugred dainties seeme to us 
Like the fam'd apples of old Tantalus : 
For me, admiring, see and heare thy straines, 
But none I see or heare those sweets attaines. 

119. To the same. 

Thou hast so us'd thy pen, or shooke thy speare, 
That Poets startle, nor thy wit come neare. 

The second epigram, according to Park, alludes to the 
spear on Shakespeare's crest. It may, however, be merely 
a quibbling allusion to his name, proving that it was pro- 
nounced Shakespeare. 

112. 

A Manuscript of Old English Poetry, written 

BETWEEN THE YEARS 1585 AND 1590, CONTAINING THE 
EARLIEST COPY OF ANY PORTION OF SHAKESPEARE'S WORKS 
KNOWN TO EXIST, EITHER IN PRINT OR MANUSCRIPT. 4tO. 

This most important volume was originally in Mr. 
Bright' s collection, and sold at the sale of his library of 
MSS., on June 18th, 1844, to Mr. Thorpe, the bookseller, 



127 

at the low price of £12. It was disposed of by him to the 
late Dr. Russell, and I procured it of his son, the Rev. 
J. F. Russell, of Enfield. The following account of the 
MS. is extracted from Messrs. Sotheby's Sale Catalogue, 
pp. 28 and 29 — 

" Shakespeare. A Poetical Miscellany of the Reign of 
Elizabeth, containing verses by Edward Vere, Earl of Oxford, 
Sir Edward Dyer, — Vavasor, G. M., Sir P. Sidney, and Shakespeare. 
russia. 4to. 

" The lines by Shakespeare are an elegant little poem, which 
appeared first in The Passionate Pilgrim, 1599, a surreptitious pub- 
lication, in which they are most incorrectly given. The present 
Manuscript offers not only a better arrangement of the stanzas, but 
also a far superior text, in proof of which we subjoin the last 
stanza : — 

Manuscript. 

Now hoe, inoughe, too muche I feare ; 

For if my ladye heare this songe, 
She will not sticke to ringe my eare, 

To teache my tounge to be soe longe ; 
Yet would she blushe, here be it saide, 

To heare her secrets thus bewrayede. 

Printed Text. 

But soft ; enough, too much I fear, 
Lest that my mistress hear my song ; 

She'll not stick to round me i' th' ear, 
To teach my tongue to be so long : 



128 

Yet will she blush, here be it said, 
To hear her secrets so bewray 'd. 

" In this reading we get rid of the harsh and false metre of the 
third line, and obtain a more natural imagery ; the lady wringing 
her lover's ear for betraying her secrets, being certainly a more ap- 
propriate punishment for his fault than that of merely whispering 

him. 

" Invention has been racked to account for the utter disap- 
pearance of the poems of Shakespeare in his own hand. The Rev. 
Mr. Hunter, in his recently published New Illustrations of the Life 
and Writings of Shakespeare, ingeniously supposes that the last 
descendant of the Poet, Lady Barnard, in her over-religious zeal, 
may have destroyed any writings that remained in her hands. To 
whatever cause it may be owing, it is a certain fact that, at the 
present time, not a line of his writing is known to exist. In the 
absence of his autographs, any contemporaneous manuscript is of 
importance; and in this view the present one may justly be deemed 
a literary curiosity of high interest." 

This account is correct as far as it goes, but the com- 
piler has omitted to notice the curiosity of the MS. as 
containing the earliest copy of any of Shakespeare's 
writings known to exist. The writing of the MS. is very 
early ; and I very much doubt if any portion Of the volume 
was written so late as 1590. If I am correct in this 
supposition, we have here a strong confirmation of Mr. 
Knight's opinion, that Shakespeare began to write at an 
earlier period than has been usually supposed. The MS. 
formerly belonged to Anne Cornwallis, and has her 
autograph, so that its descent from Vere, Earl of Oxford, 
is clearly deducible. 



129 



John Vere, 11th Earl of Oxford = Elizabeth, d. of Sir J. Howard 



Sir George Vere = Mary, d. of W. Stafford 



John Neville, = Dorothy, co-heir 
Lord Latimer 



Lord Latimer == Lucy, d. of Henry, E. of Worcester 



Sir W. Cornwallis == Lucy, co-heir 



Anne Cornwallis. 




The MS. commences with some verses by J. Bentley, 

17 



130 

whose fame as an author rests solely on the present 
volume. It includes some poems printed in the ' Paradise 
of Daintie Devices' and one by G. M., supposed to be 
Gervase Markham. There is also a poem attributed to 
Sir P. Sidney, but it occurs in England's Helicon, with 
the name of Dyer attached to it. 

In conclusion, I may observe that during a search 
of ten years, and after a very careful examination of 
every collection of the kind I could meet with, either in 
public or private libraries, the present is the only 
specimen of any of Shakespeare's writings I have seen 
which was written in the sixteenth century. Scraps may 
be occasionally met with in miscellanies of a later date, 
but this volume, in point of antiquity, may be fairly 
considered to be unique in its kind, and as one of the 
most interesting illustrations of Shakespeare known to 
exist. 

113. 
A Death's Head Ring, in Gold, with the Motto, 
Memento Mori. 

Bum. The head of a bodkin. 
Biron. A death's face in a ring. 

Love's Labours Lost, Act v, sc. 2. 

Bard. Why, Sir John, my face does 
you no harm. 

Fal. No, I'll be sworn ; I make as good use of it as 
many a man doth of a death's head, or a memento mori: 




131 

I never see thy face, but I think upon hell-fire, and Dives 
that lived in purple ; for there he is in his robes, burning, 
burning. — First Part of Henry IV, Act hi, sc. 3. 

This is a fine specimen of a death's head ring. Mr. T. 
Crofton Croker, who has nearly completed an elaborate 
work on the subject of ancient rings, describing the 
important collection formed by Lady Londesborough, has 
favoured me with the following note on the subject : — 

" If my opinion, after inspecting minutely some thousand 
rings, is of the slightest value, I can assure you that, to 
a collector, your death's-head ring is the very finest 
specimen I have ever seen, of this very rare kind of ring, 
so often mentioned in the writings of our old dramatists. 
I should not have hesitated to give <£10 for it, nor would 
I now for one which once was offered to me for as many 
pence — indeed I believe I would be tempted to turn 
the 10 into a 20 should such a specimen again turn up." 
T. Crofton Croker. 

114. 

A Hoen-Book. 

Horn-books are now so completely out of use that few 
persons are acquainted with their precise nature. In the 
present one there is first a cross, the criss-cross, and then 
the alphabet, in large and small letters. The horn-book 
is mentioned by Shakespeare, in Love's Labour's Lost, v, 1 ; 
and we have here the la, the a, e, i, o, u, alluded to by 
Moth. 



132 



-fAabcdef ghijklmnopq 
rfstuvwxyz& aeiou 

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO P^Q 
RSTUVWXYZ 



a e i o u 
ab eb ib ob ub 
ac ec ic oc uc 
ad ed id od ud 



a e i o u 
ba be bi bo bu 
ca ce ci co cu 
da de di do du 



In the Name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 

OUR Father, which art in 
Heaven, hallowed be thy 
Name ; thy Kingdom come, thy 
Will be done on Earth, as it is in 
Heaven. Give us this Day our 
daily Bread ; and forgive us our 
Trespasses, as we forgive them 
that trespass against us : And 
lead us not into Temptation, but 
deliver us from Evil. Amen. 



% 



h 



Cotgrave has " La Croix depar Dieu, the Christ's-crosse- 
rowe, or home-booke wherein a child learnes it f and 
Florio, ed. 1611, p. 93, " Centuruula, a childes horne-booke 
hanging at his girdle." 

" Commether, Billy Chubb, an breng tha hornen book. 

Gee me tha vester in tha 
windor, you Pal Came ! 
— what ! be a sleepid — 
I'll wake ye. Now, Billy, 
there's a good bway ! 
Ston still there, an mine 
what I da za to ye, and 
whaur I da pwint. — Now ; 
cris-cross, girt a, little a — 
b — c — d. — That's right, 
Billy; you'll zoon lorn tha 
criss - cross - lain — you'll 
zoon auvergit Bobby Jiff- 
ry — you'll zoon be a 
scholar d. — A's a pirty 
chubby bway — Lord 
love'n !" — Siiecimsns of 
the West Country Dia- 
lect. 

Horn-books are now 
of great rarity, and even 
modern ones are very seldom seen. I have been told, on 
good authority, that an advertisement, many times re- 
peated, offering a considerable sum for a specimen, failed 



"TTwrT 




133 

in producing an answer. A tale, illustrative of Lord 
Erskine's readiness, relates that when asked by a judge 
if a single sheet could be called a book, he replied, " The 
common horn-book, my Lord." 

115. 

A beautiful antique ring, of niello work, with the head 
of Lucrece, a very interesting specimen of 
the Lucrece Ring. 

"By your leave, wax. — Soft! — and the 
impressure her Lucrece, with which she uses 
to seal." — Twelfth Night, Act ii, sc. 5. 

This very interesting illustration of Shakespeare's 
acquaintance with the works of art of his clay is in fine 
preservation. It will be observed that the knife is not 
introduced, but the head is the conventional type of 
Lucrece. There is another Lucrece ring, 
of inferior workmanship, in the collection 
of antique rings in the possession of Lady 
Londesborough, by whose kind permission 
I am enabled to add a representation of 
it to this account. 

Further observations on Lucrece rings 
are given in Mr. Croker's excellent cata- 
logue, previously referred to. 




116. 

A portion of a play-house copy of Shakespeare's Henry 
IV, in MS., dated Kidderminster, May, 1762. 4to. 



134 

117. 

An original gold coin of Cunobelin (Cymbeline), struck 
at Colchester. Obverse, cam (Camulodunum, i.e. Col- 
chester), an ear of corn. Reverse, c v n o (Cunobelinus), 
a horse galloping. See Ruding, vol. iii, plate 4, fig. 7. 

Cunobelin reigned over the Trinobantes, Dobuni, &c. 
extending from the coasts of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, 
across the island to the Severn. He is supposed to have 
lived whilst Augustus Tiberius and Caligula were 
emperors of Rome. The emblem of the ear of corn, the 
type of plenty, is copied from one of the coins of 
Augustus. 

The coin described at p. 95, having, on further ex- 
amination, been clearly ascertained not to be one of the 
coinage of Cunobelin, I am pleased to substitute the 
present fine and undoubted specimen. Genuine Cunobelin 
coins produce at sales from £4 : 4 to £8 : 8, seldom under 
the former price. 

118. 

A small but curious heraldic manuscript of the early 
part of the seventeenth century, containing a tricking of 
the arms of " Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlcott in the County 
of Warr. knight." 12mo. 

119. 
A silver gimmal ring, of the latter part of the six- 
teenth century. 



135 



120. 

A Recantation of an 111 Led Life, or a Discoverie of 
the High Way Law, with vehement Disswasions to all (in 
that kind) offenders, as also many cautelous Admonitions 
and fall Instructions how to know, shunne, and apprehend 
a Thiefe. Most necessary for all honest Travellers to 
peruse, observe and practise. Written by John Clavell, 
Gent. London, Printed by A. M. for Richard Meighen, 
next to the Middle Temple in Fleete street. 1634. 4to. 

In this curious poetical tract, the author professes to 
discover all the villanies of his craft, that of a high- 
wayman. His first depredations were on Gad's-hilL 
See 1 Henry IV. 



FINIS. 



T. BICHAUDS, 3l, GREAT QUEEN STREET. 




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